PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT - 70 MIPS 256KB Flash 16-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.96 | $8.96 |
| 10 | $7.97 | $79.70 |
| 100 | $7.05 | $705.00 |
| 500 | $6.21 | $3,105.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.42 | $5,420.00 |
PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is an integrated circuit that combines a CPU core, program memory, data RAM, and a rich set of on-chip peripherals such as timers, ADC, PWM, and communication controllers. Within the semiconductor taxonomy, this part belongs to the family of 16-bit microcontrollers (PIC24 family), sitting between 8-bit MCUs (e.g., PIC16/PIC18) and 32-bit MCUs (e.g., PIC32, Cortex-M). It is a specialized member: the MC variant is purpose-built for motor control, integrating high-speed PWM, op-amps, comparators, and a 10-bit/12-bit ADC pipeline, making it an example of a domain-specific MCU rather than a general-purpose one.
Key features include 256KB (85.5K x 24) of self-programmable Flash, 32KB SRAM, 53 general-purpose I/O pins, and on-chip operational amplifiers specifically designed to feed the ADC inputs from current-shunt signals. The 70 MIPS performance and dsPIC-like peripheral trigger generator (PTG) help execute field-oriented control (FOC) loops for PMSM and BLDC motors within a tight time budget.
The architecture uses a modified Harvard 16-bit core with a 24-bit instruction word, allowing efficient C compilation and a single-cycle hardware multiply. Combined with on-chip op-amps and 12-bit ADC, the device typically operates at 60 MHz (with 70 MIPS throughput at 3.3V core), enabling up to four motor-control loops per device when configured for sensorless control.
Typical applications include three-phase BLDC and PMSM motor drives (sensorless or sensored), industrial servo amplifiers, photovoltaic micro-inverters, CNC spindle drives, and high-end drone ESCs. The 64-pin TQFP footprint offers sufficient GPIO and analog channels to drive a single motor with abundant spare peripherals for safety logic or comm interfaces.
When designing with this part, allocate PCB ground around the analog AVSS pins, keep the high-current motor traces short, and use the internal op-amps in unity-gain follower mode for current sensing to avoid noise pickup. The operating temperature range is -40C to +85C (industrial grade).
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-package drop-in alternatives from the PIC24EP family, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC24EP256MC206T-I/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 PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, RAM.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC24EP256MC206-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.21 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24EP256MC206T-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24EP256MC206-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24EP128MC206T-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC24EP128MC206T-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.65 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24EP256GP206-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | 16-bit PIC24E (modified Harvard) |
| Program Flash | 256 KB (85.5K x 24) |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Max CPU Speed | 70 MIPS @ 3.3V (60 MHz core) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0V to 3.6V |
| Package | TQFP-64 (10x10 mm) |
| GPIO Pins | 53 |
| ADC | 10-bit/12-bit, multiple channels |
| On-chip Op-Amps | Yes (for current sensing) |
| PWM | High-speed PWM (motor control) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Family | PIC24EP Motor Control (MCU) |
| Lead Free | Yes |
PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 2 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 3 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 4 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Digital supply 3.3V |
| Pin 6 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 7 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 8 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 9 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 10 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 11 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 13 | VDD — Digital supply 3.3V |
| Pin 14 | OSC1/CLKI — Crystal input / external clock |
| Pin 15 | OSC2/CLKO — Crystal output / clock out |
| Pin 16 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 17 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 18 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 19 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 20 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 21 | VDD — Digital supply 3.3V |
| Pin 22 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 23 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 24 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 25 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 26 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 27 | AVDD — Analog supply 3.3V |
| Pin 28 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 29 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 30 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 31 | RPn/ANn — Remappable I/O / Analog input |
| Pin 32 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 33 | VDD — Digital supply 3.3V |
| Pin 34 | PWMnH — PWM high-side output |
| Pin 35 | PWMnL — PWM low-side output |
| Pin 36 | PWMnH — PWM high-side output |
| Pin 37 | PWMnL — PWM low-side output |
| Pin 38 | PWMnH — PWM high-side output |
| Pin 39 | PWMnL — PWM low-side output |
| Pin 40 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 41 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 42 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 43 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 44 | VDD — Digital supply 3.3V |
| Pin 45 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 46 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 47 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 48 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 49 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 50 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 51 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 52 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 53 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 54 | VDD — Digital supply 3.3V |
| Pin 55 | MCLR — Master clear (reset, active low) |
| Pin 56 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 57 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 58 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 59 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 60 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 61 | PGECx — ICSP clock / remappable |
| Pin 62 | PGEDx — ICSP data / remappable |
| Pin 63 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
| Pin 64 | RPn — Remappable I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: Sensorless BLDC Motor Control, Industrial Servo Drives, Drone / UAV Electronic Speed Controllers, Solar Micro-Inverters, CNC Spindle and Stepper Drives, Home Appliance Motor Control (Washing Machines, Fans).
Sensorless BLDC Motor Control
The PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT is purpose-built for sensorless BLDC and PMSM motor control. Its 70 MIPS core executes field-oriented control (FOC) loops while three pairs of high-speed PWM channels drive the inverter with programmable dead-time. The on-chip op-amps amplify shunt-resistor signals to feed the 12-bit ADC without external amplifiers. Placed on a three-phase bridge PCB, it eliminates the need for an external op-amp IC. Trade-off: firmware complexity is higher than trapezoidal commutation but efficiency rises by 10-15%.
Recommended
Industrial Servo Drives
For industrial servo amplifiers driving PMSM motors with incremental encoders, the PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT provides the processing bandwidth to run 8 kHz FOC plus trajectory planner. Its 32KB SRAM holds state-space observers and 256KB Flash stores adaptive control parameters. The Peripheral Trigger Generator (PTG) sequences ADC conversions with PWM for jitter-free sampling. Benefit: a single IC replaces MCU + dedicated motor controller, reducing PCB area by ~30%.
Recommended
Drone / UAV Electronic Speed Controllers
Compact four-ESC drones benefit from the PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT's small 10x10 mm TQFP-64 footprint and integrated motor-control peripherals. The 70 MIPS throughput enables 32 kHz PWM frequency for silent operation, while on-chip op-amps directly measure phase currents via 1 mOhm shunts. Running one ESC per MCU keeps firmware modular. Trade-off: thermal dissipation at high throttle must be verified; the 64-pin TQFP provides adequate copper area for heat spreading.
Recommended
Solar Micro-Inverters
Grid-tied solar micro-inverters use the PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT for MPPT computation and inverter control. Its 12-bit ADC samples PV panel voltage/current at 100 kHz while the FOC loop drives a single-phase or split-phase inverter at 50/60 Hz with high PWM resolution. The 256KB Flash accommodates grid-compliance firmware (anti-islanding, power factor correction). Benefit: on-chip op-amps reduce the BOM by eliminating external signal-conditioning stages.
Recommended
CNC Spindle and Stepper Drives
CNC routers and stepper drives use the PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT to control spindle VFDs or high-current stepper motors. The high-speed PWM with complementary outputs drives H-bridge power stages directly, while the PTG synchronizes ADC samples to PWM edges for accurate current measurement. With 53 GPIO, the same MCU handles spindle VFD, endstop inputs, and stepper pulse generation in a single chip. Trade-off: 3.3V logic requires level shifters to 5V drivers.
Recommended
Home Appliance Motor Control (Washing Machines, Fans)
White-goods motor controllers use the PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT to drive the universal or PMSM motor in washing machines, dishwashers, and ceiling fans. Its industrial -40C to +85C temperature range survives appliance environments, and 256KB Flash holds complex wash-cycle algorithms. On-chip op-amps simplify current sensing for soft-start and stall detection. Benefit: a single MCU replaces legacy 8-bit + analog-front-end designs, cutting BOM and PCB area.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC24EP256MC206-I/PT | PIC24EP256MC206T-E/PT | PIC24EP256MC206-E/PT | PIC24EP128MC206T-I/PT | PIC24EP256GP206-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | TQFP-64 (10x10 mm) | TQFP-64 - same | TQFP-64 - same | TQFP-64 - same | TQFP-64 - same | TQFP-64 - same |
| Flash | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB (-50%) | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB (-50%) | 32 KB |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (Extended) | -40C to +125C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Motor Control Peripherals | Yes (high-speed PWM, op-amps, PTG) | Yes (same die) | Yes (same die) | Yes (same die) | Yes (same MC family) | No (GP family) |
| CPU Performance | 70 MIPS @ 60 MHz | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS | 70 MIPS |
| GPIO | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 |
| Packaging Suffix | T (tape & reel) | tray | T (tape & reel) | tray | T (tape & reel) | tray |
Key Differentiators
- 70 MIPS performance at 3.3V with on-chip op-amps for current sensing (vs PIC24EP128MC206T-I/PT)
- Dedicated motor-control PWM with complementary outputs and dead-time insertion (vs PIC24EP256GP206-I/PT)
- Industrial temperature grade with same die as extended temp variant (vs PIC24EP256MC206T-E/PT)
Design Notes
Estimated: The TQFP-64 package has theta_JA around 45 C/W on a 4-layer JEDEC PCB. At 60 MHz with all peripherals active, core current is ~70 mA, dissipating ~230 mW at 3.3V. Junction temperature rise is ~10 C above ambient, well within the 125 C max. For full-load motor-control with all op-amps and ADC active, add 20% margin. No external heatsink required; however, maintain copper pours under the exposed thermal pad (TQFP-64 has a small pad underneath) for best heat spreading.
Place 100 nF decoupling capacitors as close as possible to every VDD pin (the device has multiple VDD pins distributed around the package). Add a bulk 4.7 uF tantalum or ceramic at the device entry point. Separate AVSS/AVDD analog supply from VSS/VDD digital supply with a ferrite bead or LC filter. The 12-bit ADC achieves best results when analog traces are length-matched and routed away from switching PWM traces.
Common pitfalls when using PIC24EP256MC206T-I/PT: (1) Forgetting that the 70 MIPS is only achievable at 3.3V - at 2.5V the CPU drops to 40 MIPS. (2) Configuring PWM complementary outputs without enabling the dead-time generator - this causes shoot-through in the inverter. (3) Not enabling the ADC sample-and-hold in PTG-synchronized mode - leads to noisy current measurements. (4) Using the on-chip op-amps outside their input common-mode range (0-VDD) - output saturates. Always consult the PIC24EP256MC206 family errata (DS80000460) for known silicon issues.
Route the high-speed PWM traces (PWM1H/L to PWM3H/L) as short as possible to the gate driver - keep trace length under 25 mm to avoid ringing. Use 4-layer PCB with continuous ground plane beneath PWM traces. The crystal traces (OSC1/OSC2) should be guarded with ground on both sides and routed length-matched within 1 mm. Place the ICSP pins (PGECx/PGEDx) on a separate debug header to allow post-assembly programming.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Industrial temperature grade only - not AEC-Q100 qualified. For automotive motor control, consider dsPIC33EP256MC506-I/PT automotive variants.
