PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT - 16-bit 32MHz 256KB Flash LCD MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.42 | $7.42 |
| 10 | $6.95 | $69.50 |
| 100 | $6.18 | $618.00 |
| 500 | $5.61 | $2,805.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.05 | $5,050.00 |
| 3,000 | $4.62 | $13,860.00 |
PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash/ROM), data memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripheral interfaces. The PIC24F family uses a 16-bit modified Harvard core optimized for low-power embedded control, sitting architecturally between 8-bit PIC16/PIC18 devices and 32-bit PIC32 parts. The 'GL4' sub-family adds Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) such as Configurable Logic Cells, CLC, PWM, RTCC, and an integrated segmented LCD driver. Hypernym: MCU -> microcontroller -> embedded controller -> semiconductor IC.
Key features include an integrated full-speed USB 2.0 device/host/OTG controller, segmented LCD driver (up to 512 segments), 12-bit ADC with 200 ksps, up to 9 capture/compare/PWM modules, two I2C, three UART, and three SPI/I2S interfaces. The 256 KB Flash supports Dual Partition OTA firmware updates and EEPROM emulation, eliminating the need for an external EEPROM. Up to 69 general-purpose I/O pins are brought out through Peripheral Pin Select (PPS), giving flexible signal routing without package re-spins.
The 'GU4/GL4' architecture combines an LCD controller, USB, and CIPs in a single die for ultra-low-power applications. Power-saving modes include Idle, Sleep (with RTCC retention drawing only hundreds of nA), Deep Sleep, and VBAT mode for RTC backup from a coin cell. The integrated 32 kHz RTCC and ultra-low-power wake-up sources enable years of operation from a single CR2032 battery in metering or sensor products.
Typical applications include industrial LCD keypads and HMI panels, USB-connected sensor hubs, e-metering and energy-monitoring displays, medical infusion pumps, consumer appliances with user interfaces, and battery-powered IoT edge nodes with segmented LCD readouts. The integrated LCD and USB significantly reduce BOM cost versus discrete implementations.
When designing with the PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT, ensure VDD decoupling is placed within 3 mm of every VDD/VSS pair, route the USB DP/DM traces as a 90 ohm differential pair with length matching within 150 mil, and follow Microchip's MSSP layout guidelines for noise-sensitive analog inputs. Use MPLAB X IDE with the XC16 compiler for code development and the PICkit 5 or ICD 4 for programming/debugging.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC24FJ256GL408-E/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 PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, ADC, USB.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC24FJ256GL408-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$9.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GL408-E/MR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC24FJ256GL406-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.12 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GL406-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GL405-E/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.07 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | PIC 16-bit (modified Harvard) |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Program Memory | 256 KB Flash with ECC |
| RAM | 32 KB SRAM |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | Up to 69 |
| ADC | 12-bit, 200 ksps |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host/OTG |
| LCD Controller | Segmented LCD, up to 512 segments |
| Communication Interfaces | 2x I2C, 3x UART, 3x SPI/I2S |
| Timers/PWM | Up to 9 CCP/PWM modules |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| Package | TQFP-80 (PT) 12x12 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020) |
| Peripheral Pin Select | Yes (PPS) |
| DMA | Yes (8 channels) |
| RTCC | Yes, with VBAT backup |
PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0 — GPIO / AN0 / CVREF+ |
| Pin 2 | RA1 — GPIO / AN1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2 — GPIO / AN2 / VREF- |
| Pin 4 | RA3 — GPIO / AN3 / VREF+ |
| Pin 5 | RA4 — GPIO / AN4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5 — GPIO / AN5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6 — GPIO / OSC2 |
| Pin 8 | RA7 — GPIO / OSC1 / CLKI |
| Pin 9 | VDD — Power supply |
| Pin 10 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 11 | RB0 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 12 | RB1 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 13 | RB2 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 14 | RB3 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 15 | RB4 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 16 | RB5 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 17 | RB6 — GPIO / ICDPGEC2 |
| Pin 18 | RB7 — GPIO / ICDPGED2 |
| Pin 19 | RC0 — GPIO / AN6 |
| Pin 20 | RC1 — GPIO / AN7 |
| Pin 21 | RC2 — GPIO / AN8 |
| Pin 22 | RC3 — GPIO / AN9 / SDA1 |
| Pin 23 | RC4 — GPIO / AN10 / SCL1 |
| Pin 24 | RC5 — GPIO |
| Pin 25 | RC6 — GPIO / TX1 |
| Pin 26 | RC7 — GPIO / RX1 |
| Pin 27 | RC8 — GPIO / SDA2 |
| Pin 28 | RC9 — GPIO / SCL2 |
| Pin 29 | VDD — Power supply |
| Pin 30 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 31 | RD0 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 32 | RD1 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 33 | RD2 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 34 | RD3 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 35 | RD4 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 36 | RD5 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 37 | RD6 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 38 | RD7 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 39 | RD8 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 40 | RD9 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 41 | RD10 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 42 | RD11 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 43 | RD12 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 44 | RD13 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 45 | RD14 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 46 | RD15 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 47 | AVDD — Analog power supply |
| Pin 48 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 49 | RE0 — GPIO / AN11 |
| Pin 50 | RE1 — GPIO / AN12 |
| Pin 51 | RE2 — GPIO / AN13 |
| Pin 52 | RE3 — GPIO / AN14 |
| Pin 53 | RE4 — GPIO / AN15 |
| Pin 54 | RE5 — GPIO |
| Pin 55 | RE6 — GPIO |
| Pin 56 | RE7 — GPIO |
| Pin 57 | VBUS — USB VBUS detect |
| Pin 58 | VDD — Power supply |
| Pin 59 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 60 | RF0 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 61 | RF1 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 62 | RF2 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 63 | RF3 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 64 | RF4 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 65 | RF5 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 66 | RF6 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 67 | RF7 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 68 | RF8 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 69 | RF9 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 70 | RF10 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 71 | RF11 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 72 | RF12 — GPIO / LCD segment |
| Pin 73 | RG0 — GPIO |
| Pin 74 | RG1 — GPIO |
| Pin 75 | RG2 — GPIO / D+ |
| Pin 76 | RG3 — GPIO / D- |
| Pin 77 | RG6 — GPIO / SCLK1 |
| Pin 78 | RG7 — GPIO / SDI1 |
| Pin 79 | RG8 — GPIO / SDO1 |
| Pin 80 | RG9 — GPIO / SS1 |
Typical Applications
PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT is suitable for 7 applications: Industrial LCD Keypad HMI, USB Sensor Hub, Smart Electricity Meter with LCD, Medical Infusion Pump Controller, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Node with LCD, Consumer Appliance with LCD UI, Automotive Dashboard Sub-Display.
Industrial LCD Keypad HMI
The PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT is purpose-built for industrial HMI panels with segmented LCDs, requiring a low-power MCU with integrated glass driver and USB for configuration. Its 512-segment LCD controller eliminates the need for an external driver IC, while the 16 MIPS core and 9 PWM channels drive backlight dimming and buzzer control with microsecond latency. Core Independent Peripherals like the Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) offload event-driven keypad scanning from the CPU, allowing deep-sleep operation below 1 uA. Use the 12-bit ADC for sensor inputs (temperature, humidity) and the integrated USB CDC for field firmware updates.
Recommended
USB Sensor Hub
The PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT's integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed with Device/Host/OTG makes it an ideal bridge for USB sensor hubs that aggregate I2C, SPI, and UART peripherals onto a USB CDC/HID/MSD interface. The 32 KB SRAM and DMA channels sustain USB throughput without CPU bottleneck, while Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) lets engineers route USB DP/DM, I2C, and SPI signals to any of the 69 I/O pins, simplifying PCB layout. The 256 KB ECC Flash holds USB stack, vendor class drivers, and OTA bootloader for field firmware updates.
Recommended
Smart Electricity Meter with LCD
The PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT fits single-phase electricity meters requiring accurate metrology (via external AFE) plus segmented LCD display of kWh, voltage, current, and time-of-use tariffs. Its integrated LCD driver (up to 512 segments) covers full digit and icon display directly, while the 32 kHz RTCC with VBAT backup retains time-of-day for years on a coin cell during mains loss. The eXtreme Low-Power Sleep modes (<1 uA with RTCC retention) maximize battery backup duration. The 12-bit ADC samples current/voltage channels for energy calculation.
Recommended
Medical Infusion Pump Controller
Medical infusion pumps demand a reliable MCU with deterministic real-time control, an LCD for user feedback, and watchdogs to meet IEC 60601-1 and IEC 62304. The PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT -E temperature grade (-40C to +125C) suits the warm thermal environment of medical equipment, while the segmented LCD drives alarms, dose rates, and remaining-volume icons. The 12-bit ADC monitors motor current and occlusion pressure; PWM channels drive the stepper motor for precise dosing. ECC Flash prevents bit-flips from corrupting firmware, critical for safety-class medical software.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Node with LCD
Battery-powered IoT edge nodes that display status and sensor readings on segmented LCDs benefit from the PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT's eXtreme Low-Power architecture. In Deep Sleep with RTCC running, the device draws sub-microamp current, enabling multi-year operation from a CR2032 coin cell. The 256 KB Flash supports OTA update via USB or I2C bootloader, and the 32 KB RAM holds BLE/Zigbee stack fragments during wake cycles. The integrated LCD shows temperature, humidity, or battery voltage without waking the radio MCU.
Recommended
Consumer Appliance with LCD UI
Consumer appliances like coffee machines, washing machines, and microwave ovens require an LCD or LED-segmented UI with timer control and temperature regulation. The PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT drives segmented LCD directly (no external driver), runs 16 MIPS code for state machines and PID loops, and uses PWM to control heating elements or motors. The Core Independent Peripherals (CLC, MCCP, 16-bit timers) handle encoder inputs and zero-crossing detection in hardware, offloading the CPU. The -40C to +125C operating temperature supports kitchen and garage environments.
Recommended
Automotive Dashboard Sub-Display
Automotive dashboard sub-displays for tire pressure monitoring, HVAC status, or infotainment secondary screens benefit from the PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT's AEC-Q100 capable architecture (via PIC24FJ256GL408 variant screening), wide temperature grade, and CAN/LIN peripherals through PPS routing. The integrated LCD driver shows parameter values without an external display driver, while the USB interface supports diagnostic log download to a service tool. ECC Flash and the Fail-Safe Clock Monitor detect and recover from oscillator failures, important for automotive safety integrity.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC24FJ256GL408-I/PT | PIC24FJ256GL408-E/MR | PIC24FJ256GL406-E/PT | PIC24FJ256GL406-I/PT | PIC24FJ256GL405-E/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | TQFP-80 (PT) 12x12 mm | TQFP-80 (PT) 12x12 mm - same | QFN-80 (MR) 9x9 mm - different | TQFP-80 (PT) 12x12 mm - same | TQFP-80 (PT) 12x12 mm - same | TQFP-80 (PT) 12x12 mm - same |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB ECC | 256 KB ECC - same | 256 KB ECC - same | 256 KB | 256 KB | 128 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 32 KB | 32 KB - same | 32 KB - same | 32 KB - same | 32 KB - same | 32 KB - same |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) | -40C to +85C (I grade) | -40C to +125C (E grade) |
| CPU Speed | 32 MHz / 16 MIPS | 32 MHz / 16 MIPS - same | 32 MHz / 16 MIPS - same | 32 MHz / 16 MIPS - same | 32 MHz / 16 MIPS - same | 32 MHz / 16 MIPS - same |
| USB Controller | USB 2.0 FS Device/Host/OTG | USB 2.0 FS Device/Host/OTG - same | USB 2.0 FS Device/Host/OTG - same | USB 2.0 FS Device/Host/OTG - same | USB 2.0 FS Device/Host/OTG - same | USB 2.0 FS Device/Host/OTG - same |
| LCD Controller | Up to 512 segments | Up to 512 segments - same | Up to 512 segments - same | Up to ~480 segments (reduced) | Up to ~480 segments (reduced) | Up to 512 segments - same |
| Operating Voltage | 2.0 V to 3.6 V | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same | 2.0 V to 3.6 V - same |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated segmented LCD controller up to 512 segments (vs PIC24FJ256GB410-I/PT)
- eXtreme Low-Power Sleep modes below 1 uA with RTCC retention (vs PIC24FJ256GL406-E/PT)
- ECC Flash and Dual Partition OTA support (vs PIC24FJ256GL405-E/PT)
- Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible signal routing (vs PIC24FJ16GA004-I/PT)
Design Notes
Place a 10 uF bulk capacitor and a 100 nF decoupling capacitor within 3 mm of each VDD/VSS pin pair on the PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT. The 80-pin TQFP exposes multiple VDD/VSS pairs (pins 9/10, 29/30, 58/59 and AVdd/AVss 47/48) - decoupling each pair separately prevents digital switching noise from coupling into the analog supply. Use a low-ESR ceramic X7R/X5R dielectric; tantalum is acceptable for the 10 uF bulk. A separate ferrite bead or RC filter between VDD and AVdd further reduces analog noise if the 12-bit ADC performance is critical for metering accuracy.
Route the USB DP (RG2) and DM (RG3) traces as a 90 ohm differential pair with length matching within 150 mil, and place the ESD protection diode (e.g. USBLC6-2SC6) within 3 mm of the USB connector. The VBUS detect pin (pin 57) requires a 10 kohm pull-down to VSS if not used. For the LCD segments, route traces with no more than 4 mil width and 4 mil spacing to minimize coupling to the COM lines; keep LCD traces away from high-frequency digital switching paths. Follow Microchip AN1362 LCD layout guidelines for optimum segment contrast.
Do not configure both OSC1/OSC2 and RA6/RA7 simultaneously as GPIO - the configuration lock bits must be set correctly per Microchip errata DS80000572E. When using the VBAT mode for RTCC backup, the VBAT pin must be tied to a coin cell through a Schottky diode (e.g. BAT54C) and the on-chip supercapacitor charger disabled unless an external supercap is wired. Always check the device ID register (DEVID) at startup to confirm the part before initializing Flash, as the GL408 and GL406 share the same JEDEC ID but differ in Flash size.
For ADC accuracy on the PIC24FJ256GL408-E/PT, set the ADC acquisition time to at least 2.5 us when sampling high-impedance sources (>5 kohm), and use the dedicated AVdd/AVss analog supply pins (47/48) with their own ferrite-filtered supply. Avoid routing ADC inputs near PWM outputs or digital switching lines; maintain at least 3x trace-width spacing. The on-chip band-gap voltage reference (1.024 V nominal) has a temperature coefficient of +/- 15 ppm/C and is suitable for ratiometric measurements but not for absolute voltage references without external calibration.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product declaration. The -E suffix indicates extended temperature grade -40C to +125C; this part is not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications, contact Microchip about AEC-Q100 screened variants.
