PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT - 16-bit 32MHz USB MCU 256KB | Microchip
MPN: PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10.38 | $10.38 |
| 10 | $9.34 | $93.40 |
| 100 | $8.3 | $830.00 |
| 500 | $7.46 | $3,730.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.64 | $6,640.00 |
PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT Overview
A 16-bit MCU (microcontroller unit) is a processor-class device that integrates a CPU core, volatile memory (RAM), non-volatile program memory (Flash), and on-chip peripherals into a single IC. PIC24F microcontrollers use a 16-bit modified Harvard RISC architecture with a single-cycle hardware multiplier and DSP-friendly instructions, sitting above 8-bit MCUs in performance but below 32-bit ARM Cortex-M devices in code density and clock speed. The PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT belongs to the broader category of power-management-aware, USB-enabled embedded controllers used in industrial, medical/fitness, computer-peripheral, and portable battery-powered designs.
Key features include 256 KB ECC-protected dual-partition Flash, 32 KB RAM, hardware Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC), 24 channels of 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Conversion (with up to 10-bit or 12-bit modes), four UART, three SPI, three I2C peripherals, eight DMA channels, six PWM outputs, and a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch. The integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG controller supports Host, Device, and On-The-Go roles without external PHY.
Designed for low-power applications, the XLP variants draw less than 100 nA in Deep Sleep with RTCC retention and provide multiple wake sources including Real-Time Clock alarm, external interrupts, and USB attach/detach events.
Typical applications include industrial data loggers with USB mass-storage bridges, portable medical/fitness devices, USB HID peripherals such as keyboards/mice/joysticks, computer docking stations, and battery-powered sensors that require firmware-upgrade capability in the field.
When designing with this MCU, leave unused pins configured as outputs driven low or as inputs with the internal weak pull-up enabled. Ensure VUSB and VDD both have a 100 nF decoupling capacitor placed within 5 mm of the respective pins, and add a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor for inrush-tolerant USB bus power.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives in the same 100-TQFP package, and practical low-power design notes beyond what the manufacturer datasheet alone provides.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC24FJ256GB610-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 PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, ADC, Core Architecture, USB.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC24FJ256GA610-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$3.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ512GB610-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$6.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GB110-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GB606-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC24F 16-bit modified Harvard RISC |
| Program Memory | 256 KB Flash with ECC (dual-partition) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 32 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 85 (on 100-pin TQFP package) |
| ADC | 24-channel 10/12-bit SAR |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG (Host/Device/OTG) |
| UART | 4 |
| SPI | 3 |
| I2C | 3 |
| DMA Channels | 8 |
| PWM Outputs | 6 |
| Timers | 23 independent |
| RTCC | Yes (hardware Real-Time Clock + Calendar) |
| Live Update Flash | Yes (dual-partition, A/B firmware swap) |
| Touch Sensing | CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) hardware |
| Deep Sleep Current | <100 nA (RTCC retained) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial grade) |
| Package | 100-pin TQFP, 12x12 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (SMD) |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT 100-pin tqfp, 12x12 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT (100-pin tqfp, 12x12 mm 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 PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: USB Mass-Storage Bridge (SD to USB), USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard / Mouse / Joystick), Portable Medical / Fitness Devices, Industrial Data Logger with USB Offload, Computer Docking and Charging Station, Battery-Powered IoT Sensor with USB Tune Port.
USB Mass-Storage Bridge (SD to USB)
The PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT's integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG controller plus 256 KB ECC Flash and 32 KB RAM make it an ideal MCU for exposing an SD card or external SPI Flash to a host PC as a USB mass-storage device. It supports both USB Device and On-The-Go roles without an external PHY, removing bill-of-materials cost. The dual-partition Flash enables safe in-field firmware upgrades of the USB stack without bricking the bridge. With less than 100 nA Deep Sleep draw plus RTCC wake, battery-powered card readers can run for months on a coin cell. Reference Microchip MLA (Microchip Libraries for Applications) USB MSD + SD card bootloader, AN1094.
Recommended
USB HID Peripherals (Keyboard / Mouse / Joystick)
The PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT's USB Device hardware, four UART, three SPI, and 12-bit ADC suit USB HID-class peripherals such as gaming keyboards, mice, joysticks, and presenters that need abundant sweep-frequency ADC for battery and sensor telemetry. The CTMU peripheral implements capacitive touch sliders, buttons, and scroll wheels without external capacitance-sense ICs, reducing BOM cost. The RTCC-backed Deep Sleep below 100 nA extends alkaline-battery HID lifetimes past one year. Reference Microchip MLA USB HID stack plus mTouch touch libraries.
Recommended
Portable Medical / Fitness Devices
The PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT's eXtreme Low Power (XLP) Deep Sleep of less than 100 nA with RTCC retention makes this MCU well suited to portable medical and fitness devices such as pulse oximeters, glucose meters, and wearable activity trackers that must run on coin cells for months at a time. The 24-channel 12-bit ADC is enough for SpO2 analog-front-end conditioning and thermistor battery telemetry, and the dual-partition Live Update enables secure Bluetooth-class firmware upgrades. The USB OTG port doubles as the in-system charging and data download port. Reference Microchip AN2119 medical USB design pattern.
Recommended
Industrial Data Logger with USB Offload
For industrial data-logging applications where vibration, temperature, pressure, or flow must be captured and then downloaded to a USB stick or PC, the PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT provides 32 KB RAM for circular sector buffering plus 256 KB Flash for the USB host stack, FAT file-system, and CSV writer. The 4 UARTs directly drive RS-232, RS-485, and Modbus multi-drop networks, while three SPI busses connect to high-speed ADCs for vibration capture. The industrial temperature grade (-40C to +85C) supports factory-floor and outdoor installations. Reference Microchip AN1762 industrial Modbus over USB host.
Recommended
Computer Docking and Charging Station
The PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT's USB OTG (Host+Device) and 32 MHz CPU can run Microchip's USB Hub class and USB Billboard controllers, making it well suited as the central MCU in a computer dock, charging station, or KVM switcher. The 85 I/O pins provide sufficient GPIO for HDMI/MHL hot-plug detect, port-status LED driving, push-button event capture, and I2C temperature monitoring of the charging ICs. Dual-partition Flash enables in-field bug fixes that cannot brick the dock. Reference Microchip EVB-USB2640 design pattern adapted for PIC24F.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Sensor with USB Tune Port
The PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT's <100 nA Deep Sleep (RTCC retained) plus USB Device for configuration makes it a natural choice for battery-powered IoT sensors in HVAC, agriculture, and structural-health monitoring that expose a micro-USB tune/console port for setup. The 24 ADC channels are adequate for multi-sensor analog telemetry including soil moisture, light, and temperature. The 32 KB RAM buffers several seconds of high-frequency vibration data before transmission. Reference Microchip AN2291 XLP design pattern.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC24FJ256GB610-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC24FJ256GA610-I/PT | PIC24FJ512GB610-I/PT | PIC24FJ256GB110-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB (dual-partition) | 256 KB (dual-partition) | 512 KB (dual-partition) | 256 KB (single-partition) |
| RAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB |
| Core Frequency | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz | 32 MHz |
| USB | USB 2.0 FS OTG | None (no USB on GA prefix) | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG |
| ECC Flash | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Live Update | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Operating Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
Key Differentiators
- Dual-partition Flash with Live Update (vs PIC24FJ256GB110-I/PT)
- USB OTG controller integrated (vs PIC24FJ256GA610-I/PT)
- ECC-protected Flash (vs PIC24FJ256GB110-I/PT)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of each VDD pin and a 4.7 uF bulk capacitor at the regulator output. The USB VUSB pin must be powered with a 3.0 V to 3.6 V rail and a 100 nF + 4.7 uF bulk capacitor pair to support the inrush transient when the host issues a USB Reset. Estimated: at full 32 MHz active and all peripherals on, IDD may exceed 25 mA per datasheet DC characteristics; design the USB inrush budget accordingly.
Route the ICSP PGC/PGD pair alongside the MCLR line so they do not cross high-current traces. Keep the USB DP/DM differential pair length-matched within 2 mm and route over an unbroken ground plane to meet USB 2.0 Full-Speed signal-integrity requirements. The XTAL and HS crystal traces must be guarded by a ground ring to minimize radiated EMI; add a series resistor if the oscillator waveform shows ringing on a scope.
When using the Live Update dual-partition Flash, confirm the application config bytes (FSEC, FBOOT, FOSCSEL) are set identically in both A and B partitions; a mismatch results in bootloader failure. Do not assign both PGEC1/PGED1 and PGEC2/PGED2 simultaneously - the datasheet requires that MCLR-selected ICSPCLK/ICSPDAT come from the same pair. Always connect a 10 kohm pull-up on MCLR to VDD to prevent spurious resets on noise spikes.
Estimated: at 32 MHz active with all peripherals on, the TQFP-100 dissipation is well under 100 mW, so no heatsink is required. For industrial operation at 85C ambient, confirm the package theta_JA of ~45 C/W from the Microchip datasheet thermal table provides adequate margin. Do not operate the device with the JTAGEN fuse disabled unless MCLR programming is no longer required.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH compliant per Microchip product environmental compliance data. Lead-free finish indicated by part number suffix. Halogen-free per IEC 61249-2-21. AEC-Q100 not applicable - the -I suffix denotes industrial-grade -40C to +85C; no AEC-Q100 variant exists for this family.
