PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML - 60 MIPS 128KB Flash MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.92 | $7.92 |
| 10 | $7.13 | $71.30 |
| 100 | $6.34 | $634.00 |
| 500 | $5.71 | $2,855.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.08 | $5,080.00 |
PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML Overview
Key specifications include a 16-bit modified Harvard architecture with DSP enhancements, dual 40-bit accumulators, single-cycle MAC, and 70 MIPS sustained throughput at 3.3 V. The MCU integrates dedicated motor-control peripherals - a Motor Control PWM (MCPWM) with up to 6 outputs, three on-chip operational amplifiers, three analog comparators, a 10/12-bit ADC with up to 1.1 Msps conversion, and a 32-bit quadrature encoder interface - all of which reduce external component count on the PCB for field-oriented development of vector-controlled PMSM and BLDC drives.
What is a 16-bit MCU? A 16-bit microcontroller is an embedded processor with a 16-bit data path, sitting in the hierarchy between 8-bit microcontrollers (used in simple control tasks) and 32-bit ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers (used in complex applications with rich operating systems). The PIC24EP family is hypernym-classified as: microcontroller -> MCU -> embedded processor -> semiconductor. Its DSP extensions make it a hybrid MCU/DSC (digital signal controller), the same family dsPIC33 is derived from.
This device targets high-performance precision motor control including PMSM, BLDC, AC induction, and switched reluctance drives; digital power conversion (PFC, LLC, full-bridge); solar micro-inverters; industrial automation (PLC, servo drives); and automotive body/comfort modules qualified under the -E (extended) temperature grade of -40 C to +125 C.
Design consideration: the -E temperature suffix denotes the EXTENDED grade (-40 C to +125 C), not the standard INDUSTRIAL (-40 C to +85 C, -I suffix). For automotive AEC-Q100 applications, source the -V (automotive) variant. This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found on standalone manufacturer or distributor product pages.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML — 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 PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, ADC, Core Architecture, CPU Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC24EP128MC204-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC24EP128MC204T-E/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24EP128MC206-E/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33EP128MC204-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33EP128MC504-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →dsPIC33EP64MC204-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC24EP256MC204-E/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$5.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC24E (16-bit dsPIC DSC core with DSP enhancements) |
| CPU Speed | 70 MIPS at 60 MHz (3.3 V operation) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 128 KB (43K x 24) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 16 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 35 |
| ADC | 10/12-bit, up to 1.1 Msps |
| Motor Control PWM (MCPWM) | 6 outputs, 1.04 ns resolution |
| On-chip Op-Amps | 3 |
| Analog Comparators | 3 |
| Quadrature Encoder Interface | Yes (32-bit) |
| Package | 44-pin QFN (8x8 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C (Extended, -E grade) |
| AEC-Q100 | Not qualified (industrial extended grade) |
PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RP15/PWM1L — Remappable I/O / PWM1 Low output |
| Pin 2 | RP14/PWM1H — Remappable I/O / PWM1 High output |
| Pin 3 | RP13/PWM2L — Remappable I/O / PWM2 Low output |
| Pin 4 | RP12/PWM2H — Remappable I/O / PWM2 High output |
| Pin 5 | RP11/PWM3L — Remappable I/O / PWM3 Low output |
| Pin 6 | RP10/PWM3H — Remappable I/O / PWM3 High output |
| Pin 7 | RP9 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 8 | RP8 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RP7 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 11 | RP6 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 12 | OSC1/RC12 — Crystal oscillator input / remappable I/O |
| Pin 13 | OSC2/RC13 — Crystal oscillator output / remappable I/O |
| Pin 14 | RP5 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 15 | RP4 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 16 | RP3 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 17 | RP2 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 18 | RP1 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 19 | RP0 — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 20 | VDD — 3.3 V supply voltage |
| Pin 21 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 22 | AVDD — Analog 3.3 V supply |
| Pin 23 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 24 | AN0 — Analog input 0 / op-amp output |
| Pin 25 | AN1 — Analog input 1 |
| Pin 26 | AN2 — Analog input 2 |
| Pin 27 | AN3 — Analog input 3 |
| Pin 28 | AN4 — Analog input 4 / op-amp input |
| Pin 29 | AN5 — Analog input 5 / op-amp input |
| Pin 30 | AN6 — Analog input 6 |
| Pin 31 | AN7 — Analog input 7 |
| Pin 32 | AN8 — Analog input 8 |
| Pin 33 | AN9 — Analog input 9 |
| Pin 34 | AN10 — Analog input 10 |
| Pin 35 | AN11 — Analog input 11 |
| Pin 36 | AN12 — Analog input 12 |
| Pin 37 | AN13 — Analog input 13 |
| Pin 38 | AN14 — Analog input 14 |
| Pin 39 | AN15 — Analog input 15 |
| Pin 40 | VDD — 3.3 V supply voltage |
| Pin 41 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 42 | MCLR — Master clear (reset) input |
| Pin 43 | PGED2/RP16 — Programming data / remappable I/O |
| Pin 44 | PGEC2/RP17 — Programming clock / remappable I/O |
| Pin 45 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to ground plane |
Typical Applications
PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML is suitable for 7 applications: PMSM / BLDC Field-Oriented Control (FOC) Drives, AC Induction Motor Variable-Frequency Drives, Solar Micro-Inverters and Power Optimizers, Switched-Mode Power Supplies (PFC, LLC, Full-Bridge), Industrial Servo Drives and Robotics, Automotive Body and Comfort Modules, Digital LED Lighting Control Systems.
PMSM / BLDC Field-Oriented Control (FOC) Drives
The PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML is purpose-built for sensorless and sensored field-oriented control of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) and brushless DC (BLDC) motors up to several hundred watts. Its 70 MIPS throughput handles Clarke/Park transforms and inverse transforms at PWM rates up to 20 kHz without saturating the CPU, while the 6-output Motor Control PWM with 1.04 ns resolution drives three-phase inverter bridges with sub-microsecond dead-time control. The three integrated on-chip op-amps directly condition shunt-resistor current signals, eliminating external amplifiers and reducing BOM cost by $0.30-$0.50 per axis. The 32-bit quadrature encoder interface accepts ABZ signals from optical encoders for high-resolution rotor position feedback in servo applications.
Recommended
AC Induction Motor Variable-Frequency Drives
For AC induction motor VFDs in HVAC fans, pumps, and small industrial machinery, the PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML provides the V/F (volts-per-hertz) and sensorless vector control loops at 70 MIPS sustained throughput. Its 128 KB Flash accommodates full V/F ramp tables and slip-compensation algorithms without external memory. The 1.1 Msps ADC samples DC-bus voltage and two phase currents simultaneously for field-weakening operation above rated speed. Integrated comparators provide hardware over-current protection (OCP) that trips the PWM within microseconds, satisfying UL 508C drive safety requirements.
Recommended
Solar Micro-Inverters and Power Optimizers
The PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML is well-suited for solar micro-inverters up to 600 W and module-level power optimizers, where its 70 MIPS performance implements Perturb-and-Observe or Incremental-Conductance MPPT with sub-100 ms loop times. The integrated op-amps sense panel current and voltage across wide dynamic range, while the 6 PWM channels generate the interleaved full-bridge switching at 50-100 kHz with hardware dead-band. The extended temperature range of -40 C to +125 C ensures reliable outdoor operation under direct sun load and rooftop cold-soak conditions typical of photovoltaic installations.
Recommended
Switched-Mode Power Supplies (PFC, LLC, Full-Bridge)
In digital power conversion, the PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML implements average-current-mode PFC controllers, resonant LLC converters, and phase-shifted full-bridge controllers at 70 MIPS. The high-resolution 1.04 ns PWM capability achieves the duty-cycle precision required for 400 V to 48 V intermediate bus converters in telecom and server applications. The 128 KB Flash hosts Type-II and Type-III compensator coefficients, while the 1.1 Msps ADC enables average-current-mode control with sub-1% THD on the input current. Integrated comparators provide cycle-by-cycle current limiting at switching frequencies up to 500 kHz.
Recommended
Industrial Servo Drives and Robotics
Industrial servo drives in factory automation, CNC machines, and collaborative robots use the PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML to close current, velocity, and position loops simultaneously. The 70 MIPS DSP core executes cascaded PID controllers and trajectory planners with deterministic 50 us cycle times. The integrated encoder interface reads 32-bit absolute position from SSI/BiSS-C encoders, while CAN and UART peripherals communicate with motion controllers and EtherCAT slaves. The exposed thermal pad of the 44-QFN (8x8) package simplifies thermal management in enclosed servo housings where ambient can reach 70 C.
Recommended
Automotive Body and Comfort Modules
Although not AEC-Q100 qualified itself, the PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML extended temperature range (-40 C to +125 C) supports automotive body and comfort module prototypes such as seat-position controllers, mirror adjusters, and HVAC damper actuators. The 70 MIPS performance handles LIN and CAN communication stacks, while the integrated motor-control peripherals drive brushed DC and small BLDC actuators with closed-loop position control. The 128 KB Flash accommodates AUTOSAR-lite drivers and application software. For production automotive AEC-Q100 deployment, Microchip offers the -V qualified dsPIC33EP variants in the same package.
Recommended
Digital LED Lighting Control Systems
Architectural and stage LED lighting controllers use the PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML to drive multi-channel PWM dimmers with 16-bit resolution at low frequencies, eliminating audible flicker and dimmer buzz. The 6 PWM channels combined with external TLC5947 drivers scale to 24 or 48 channels per fixture for RGBW color-mixing applications. The 70 MIPS DSP core computes gamma-corrected color profiles and smooth cross-fades at DMX-512 update rates (44 Hz). Integrated op-amps sense LED string current for closed-loop constant-current regulation across thermal operating points.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC24EP128MC204-E/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC24EP128MC204-I/ML | PIC24EP128MC204T-E/ML | PIC24EP128MC206-E/ML | dsPIC33EP128MC204-E/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) | 44-QFN (8x8) - same | 44-QFN (8x8) - same | 44-QFN (8x8) - same | 44-QFN (8x8) - same |
| Flash Memory | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB |
| RAM | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB |
| Core Speed | 70 MIPS / 60 MHz | 70 MIPS / 60 MHz | 70 MIPS / 60 MHz | 70 MIPS / 60 MHz | 70 MIPS / 60 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) |
| Motor Control PWM Outputs | 6 outputs | 6 outputs | 6 outputs | 6 outputs | 6 outputs |
| DSP Extensions | Limited DSP (MAC, barrel shifter) | Limited DSP | Limited DSP | Limited DSP | Full DSP library |
| Toolchain | MPLAB X + XC16 (free) | MPLAB X + XC16 | MPLAB X + XC16 | MPLAB X + XC16 | MPLAB X + XC16 (with dsPIC DSP libraries) |
Key Differentiators
- Three on-chip op-amps for current sensing (vs dsPIC33EP64MC204-E/ML)
- 128 KB Flash with 16 KB RAM headroom (vs PIC24EP128MC202)
- Extended temperature grade without AEC-Q100 cost (vs AEC-Q100 qualified MCUs)
- 6 PWM outputs with 1.04 ns resolution (vs PIC24EP128GP204-E/ML)
Design Notes
The 44-QFN (8x8 mm) package requires the exposed thermal pad (EP, pin 45) to be soldered directly to a continuous ground plane for proper thermal dissipation. Without EP soldering, junction temperature can rise 40-50 C above ambient at full 70 MIPS operation. Estimated: at 60 MHz, VDD=3.3 V, IDD ~70 mA, power dissipation is approximately 230 mW; with proper EP soldering, theta_JA is ~28 C/W on a 4-layer 1 oz PCB, supporting ambient operation up to 105 C.
Place a 10 uF bulk capacitor and a 100 nF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/AVDD pin pair (pins 20/21 and 22/23). Use a low-ESR ceramic such as X7R 10 uF 16 V. Add a ferrite bead between the digital VDD and analog AVDD rails to suppress switching-noise coupling from the PWM traces into the ADC reference. The MCP1700-3302E LDO upstream must supply at least 100 mA peak.
Route the PWM output traces (PWM1L/H through PWM3L/H, pins 1-6) with 50 ohm controlled impedance and keep them away from the analog AN0-AN15 inputs (pins 24-39). Use a ground guard ring around op-amp feedback components. Place the 32.768 kHz crystal (if used for RTC) within 5 mm of pins 12-13 (OSC1/OSC2) and surround it with a hatched ground keep-out zone to minimize stray capacitance.
Do NOT confuse the -E temperature suffix (Extended, -40 C to +125 C) with -I (Industrial, -40 C to +85 C) or -V (AEC-Q100 automotive) when ordering. The -E variant does NOT satisfy AEC-Q100 for automotive qualification. Additionally, the MCPWM module's duty cycle resolution drops from 1.04 ns to ~8 ns when running below 30 MHz peripheral clock - keep the system clock above 60 MHz to preserve motor-control PWM precision. Finally, do NOT skip programming the FPOR (default POR) bits in the configuration register, or the MCU may not start cleanly in noisy motor environments.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Extended temperature grade (-40 C to +125 C) but not AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive AEC-Q100 applications, source the -V variant of the dsPIC33EP family in the same 44-QFN package.
