PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS - 16-Bit MCU, 16 MIPS, 16KB Flash, 20-SSOP | Microchip
MPN: PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.45 | $3.45 |
| 10 | $3.1 | $31.00 |
| 100 | $2.75 | $275.00 |
| 500 | $2.45 | $1,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.2 | $2,200.00 |
PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a processor core, non-volatile program memory (typically Flash), volatile working memory (RAM), and a set of on-chip peripherals such as timers, ADCs, communication controllers, and I/O ports. Within the broader taxonomy of embedded semiconductors, the PIC24FJ16MC101 sits at the 16-bit MCU tier - above 8-bit MCUs (PIC10/12/16) in computational throughput but below 32-bit MCUs (PIC32) in addressing range and DSP capability. This particular family is specialized for motor-control applications, integrating motor-control PWMs (MCPWM), a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU), and Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible signal routing.
Key differentiating features include the integrated MCPWM module with dedicated dead-time control, a 10-bit ADC with multiple conversion trigger sources, and PPS allowing most digital functions to be remapped to a wide range of I/O pins. The CTMU enables capacitive-touch sensing and precise time measurement, eliminating external timing components. Together these peripherals shrink the external bill of materials for sensorless BLDC, brushed DC, and stepper motor designs.
Architecturally, the PIC24FJ core uses a 16-bit modified-Harvard design with separate program and data paths, hardware MAC for DSP-style operations, and a wide 24-bit instruction word. The 'FJ' suffix indicates Flash-based program memory with self-programmability in the field, supporting on-chip EEPROM emulation and ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming). Operating voltage is 2.0 V to 3.6 V, suitable for battery-powered and 3.3 V-rail designs.
Typical applications include BLDC and brushed-DC motor control in small appliances and fans, sensorless and sensored trapezoidal commutation, low-cost field-oriented control (FOC) reference designs, LED drivers with analog-mixed-signal control, and IoT edge nodes requiring PWM control plus communication. The CTMU also enables user-interface designs with capacitive touch buttons. Industrial designers value the part for its compact 20-pin footprint, reducing PCB area for space-constrained motor-control boards.
Designers should review Microchip application notes on MCPWM configuration, CTMU calibration, and PPS remapping before PCB layout. The SSOP-20 footprint allows migration to larger pin-count PIC24FJ variants without board rework when more I/O is needed later. Always enable the watchdog timer and use the configurable brown-out reset for robust field deployment.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS — 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 PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC24FJ16MC101-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ32MC101T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Series | PIC24FJMC |
| Core | PIC24F (16-bit modified-Harvard) |
| CPU Speed | 16 MIPS at 32 MHz |
| Max Clock Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Program Memory | 16 KB (5.5K x 24) Flash |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 20-SSOP (5.30 mm body, 0.65 mm pitch) |
| I/O Pins | 15 |
| Motor Control PWM | Yes (MCPWM with dead-time) |
| CTMU (Charge Time Measurement) | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| Shipping Packaging | Tape & Reel ('T' suffix) |
PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/AN0 — Digital I/O / analog input / INT0 / CTS1 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/AN1 — Digital I/O / analog input / RTCC / REF+ |
| Pin 3 | RA2/AN2 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 4 | RA3/AN3 — Digital I/O / analog input / REF- |
| Pin 5 | RA4/AN4 — Digital I/O / analog input |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — Digital I/O only |
| Pin 7 | RA6/OSCI — Digital I/O / crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 8 | RA7/OSCO — Digital I/O / crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VCAP — Filter capacitor for internal LDO (2.5 V / 1.8 V core) |
| Pin 11 | RB0/AN5 — Digital I/O / analog input / PWM1H |
| Pin 12 | RB1/AN6 — Digital I/O / analog input / PWM1L |
| Pin 13 | RB2/AN7 — Digital I/O / analog input / PWM2H |
| Pin 14 | RB3/AN8 — Digital I/O / analog input / PWM2L |
| Pin 15 | RB4/AN9 — Digital I/O / analog input / PWM3H |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — Digital I/O only / PWM3L via PPS |
| Pin 17 | — Digital I/O / ICSP clock / programming pin |
| Pin 18 | RB7/PGD — Digital I/O / ICSP data / programming pin |
| Pin 19 | AVSS — Analog ground reference |
| Pin 20 | VDD — Positive supply (2.0 V to 3.6 V) |
Typical Applications
PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Sensorless BLDC Motor Control, Brushed DC Motor Speed Control, Stepper Motor Drive, Capacitive Touch User Interface, LED Lighting and Dimming Control, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node.
Sensorless BLDC Motor Control
The PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS is well-suited to sensorless BLDC motor control in small fans, pumps, and appliance drives. Its integrated MCPWM module delivers complementary 6-output PWM with programmable dead-time (typically 1 us), enabling safe drive of a 3-phase inverter bridge without external dead-time generators. The 32 MHz / 16 MIPS core runs single-shunt trapezoidal or sinusoidal commutation firmware at update rates up to 40 kHz, while the 10-bit ADC with PWM-triggered sampling captures back-EMF zero-crossing events for rotor position estimation. Compared to discrete PWM-controller-plus-MCU solutions, this part reduces BOM by 30-50% and PCB area by roughly 40%, making it ideal for compact 24 V / 3 A drives in smart appliances and HVAC fans where cost per node is critical.
Recommended
Brushed DC Motor Speed Control
In brushed DC motor control applications the PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS uses a single MCPWM channel with hardware fault input to drive an H-bridge at variable duty cycle. The 16 MIPS throughput supports PID control loops with sub-100 us update periods, and the CTMU enables precise current sensing via shunt-amplifier timing. Designers leverage PPS to assign PWM outputs to any I/O pin, simplifying PCB layout when the MCU, MOSFETs, and feedback amplifiers must be placed optimally on the board. Its industrial -40C to +85C operating range supports outdoor equipment and HVAC damper control, and the 2.0 V to 3.6 V supply operates directly from a single 18650 cell or two-AA battery pack in cordless tools.
Recommended
Stepper Motor Drive
The PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS supports microstepping control of bipolar stepper motors by generating phase-shifted PWM waveforms via its MCPWM and timer peripherals. With 16 MIPS of CPU throughput the device can compute sinusoidal microstep tables in real time while reading back the quadrature indexer position. Its 16 KB Flash accommodates Microchip's free stepper-control firmware library plus a small user interface, and 1 KB SRAM is sufficient for look-up tables and PID state. The CTMU simplifies stall-detection via BEMF measurement, eliminating an external comparator. Designers commonly pair it with the DRV8835 or A4988 stepper driver ICs to build compact NEMA 11 / NEMA 17 motor control boards.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
Thanks to the integrated Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) the PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS implements capacitive touch buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors directly - no external touch controller IC is needed. Each touch electrode is wired to an ADC-capable pin through a small PCB pad, and Microchip's mTouch firmware library handles charge-time measurement, baseline tracking, and noise immunity. The 32 MHz core processes up to 8-10 touch channels at 100 Hz refresh with sub-100ms response time, ideal for kitchen equipment, smart-lighting controls, and consumer appliances. Compared to dedicated touch controllers, integrating touch into the MCU saves USD 0.40-0.80 per board and frees an I2C/SPI bus.
Recommended
LED Lighting and Dimming Control
The PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS drives LED strings using its MCPWM output with high-resolution duty control, while the ADC reads ambient light sensors and CTMU supports touch-based dimming interfaces. Its 2.0 V to 3.6 V supply range suits battery-powered LED fixtures, and the 16 MIPS throughput supports DMX-like protocols or DALI communication stacks for architectural lighting. With PPS the designer can route PWM output to any GPIO pin for flexible PCB layouts. Industrial -40C to +85C operation enables outdoor signage and architectural lighting control. The 16 KB Flash easily accommodates Microchip's free TCP/IP-lite stack or a custom Zigbee-lightlink bridge for connected lighting.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor Node
The PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS fits compact IoT sensor nodes that combine a sensor interface with local motor or actuator control. Its deep-sleep current of sub-microamp (typical) and fast wake-up from RTCC make it suitable for battery-powered applications running 1+ year on two AA cells. The CTMU handles capacitive water-level or soil-moisture sensing, while the ADC reads thermistor or battery voltage. Designers commonly pair this MCU with a sub-GHz transceiver like the MRF89XA or a Wi-Fi module to build wireless sensor-actuator nodes for smart agriculture, leak detection, or HVAC monitoring. The 20-SSOP footprint keeps PCB under 25 mm x 25 mm for retrofit IoT devices.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC24FJ16MC101-I/SS | PIC24FJ32MC101T-I/SS | PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/P | PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 20-SSOP (SMT, 0.65 mm pitch) | 20-SSOP (SMT, 0.65 mm pitch) | 20-SSOP (SMT, 0.65 mm pitch) | 20-PDIP (through-hole) | 20-SOIC (SMT, 1.27 mm pitch) |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB (+100%) | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| SRAM | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB | 1 KB |
| CPU Speed | 16 MIPS / 32 MHz | 16 MIPS / 32 MHz | 16 MIPS / 32 MHz | 16 MIPS / 32 MHz | 16 MIPS / 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Motor Control PWM (MCPWM) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shipping Format | Tape & Reel | Tray / Tube | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel (PDIP) | Tape & Reel (SOIC) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated MCPWM with hardware dead-time (vs PIC24FJ16GA002-I/SO)
- CTMU capacitive-touch peripheral on-chip (vs PIC24FJ16KA101-I/SS)
- Smallest package option in the motor-control family (vs PIC24EP64MC202-I/SS)
Design Notes
The PIC24FJ16MC101T-I/SS requires a 1 uF low-ESR ceramic capacitor on the VCAP pin (pin 10) to stabilize the internal core LDO. AVDD and VDD must track each other within 0.3 V at all times to avoid internal latch-up; tie them together at the regulator output. Decouple VDD with a 100 nF ceramic placed within 5 mm of the supply pin and a bulk 10 uF tantalum or ceramic at the regulator output. For battery-powered designs add a 100 ohm ferrite bead in series with VDD to filter switching noise from the PWM drivers.
Place the VCAP capacitor as close as physically possible to pin 10 (typically < 3 mm trace length) using a wide ground return to minimize core LDO ripple. Keep the 32 MHz crystal traces short and symmetric; guard the crystal traces with a grounded copper pour to attenuate EMI from the PWM outputs. Route PWM signals away from analog ADC inputs, or insert a series ferrite bead between PWM traces and ADC traces. Expose a copper thermal pad under the SSOP-20 leads connected to a quiet ground island to help dissipate the small amount of heat generated at 32 MHz operation.
Do not leave the ICSP pins (PGC/PGD, typically RB6/RB7) floating in production - either tie them to VDD via 10 kohm pull-ups or leave them as defined digital outputs to prevent in-circuit programming failures. When using the CTMU for capacitive touch, calibrate the constant-current trim register (CTMUCON<IOCON>) at room temperature and re-validate across the full -40C to +85C industrial range, as charge-time drift can be 20-30% across temperature. The MCPWM dead-time registers (DTR) must be non-zero (typically 1 us or 32 TCY) before enabling PWM outputs to prevent cross-conduction in the external half-bridge. Finally, configure the PPS unlock sequence correctly - accidentally leaving PPS locked at reset prevents remapped peripherals from functioning.
Compliance Information
Industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C). RoHS compliant per Microchip product page and DigiKey listing. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive motor control consider PIC24FJ16MC101-E (extended grade) or dsPIC33 variants with AEC-Q100 qualification.
