PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR - 16-bit 256KB Flash USB MCU 64-QFN | Microchip
MPN: PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.2 | $8.20 |
| 10 | $7.55 | $75.50 |
| 100 | $6.78 | $678.00 |
| 500 | $6.05 | $3,025.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.45 | $5,450.00 |
PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a programmable system-on-chip integrating a processor core, non-volatile program memory, working RAM, and a rich set of on-chip peripherals. The PIC24F family is positioned between 8-bit PIC MCUs and 32-bit ARM Cortex-M parts in Microchip's portfolio, offering low power, deterministic interrupt response, and abundant analog/integration in a small footprint. PIC24F parts target battery-friendly eXtreme Low Power (XLP) applications such as consumer health, wearables, and industrial sensor nodes.
Key features include dual-partition flash for live firmware updates, EEPROM emulation, an integrated segmented LCD driver, full-speed USB 2.0 (Host/OTG/Function), 12-bit ADC, multiple UART/SPI/IWM buses, and a rich set of CIPs (CLC, CWG, SMT, RTCC) that offload logic from the CPU. The 9x9 mm QFN-64 footprint keeps board area compact while exposing 53 general-purpose I/O lines.
Technically, the device combines a 16-bit modified-Harvard CPU core with a configurable clock tree that supports internal FRC, PLL, and external crystal references, plus a deep-sleep current budget suitable for battery duty. The dual-partition flash allows one image to run while another is being updated, enabling Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates without downtime.
Typical applications include USB-based smart sensors, fitness/health monitors with LCD readouts, industrial HMI panels, e-metering, USB medical instruments, and low-power IoT edge nodes that benefit from on-chip LCD and USB. The combination of dual-bank flash and USB-OTG is particularly suited to firmware-updatable USB peripherals.
Design tip: reserve at least one CIP block (CLC or CWG) for power-good sequencing, and pair the USB D+/D- pair with the manufacturer-recommended 27 ohm series resistors and an external ESD array to pass IEC 61000-4-2 air-discharge testing. Always keep the dual-partition bootloader area outside the application image so live updates never overwrite the running firmware.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing from DigiKey and Mouser, same-package drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the standalone datasheet, helping engineers select, source, and qualify the PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR for production.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR — 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 PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC24FJ256GL406-E/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GB406T-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ128GU406-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GA406-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.79 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GB606T-I/MR
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.92 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Manufacturer | Microchip Technology |
| Series | PIC24F GU4/GL4 |
| Core | PIC24F 16-bit modified-Harvard |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB |
| RAM | 32 KB |
| EEPROM (Emulation in Flash) | Yes |
| Dual Partition Flash (Live Update) | Yes |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 32 MHz (16 MIPS) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.0 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 53 |
| USB Module | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Host/OTG/Device |
| LCD Module | Segmented LCD controller |
| ADC | 12-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended Industrial) |
| Package | 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA5 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 2 | RA0 — General-purpose I/O / analog |
| Pin 3 | RA1 — General-purpose I/O / analog |
| Pin 4 | RB0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 5 | RB1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 6 | RB2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | RB3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 8 | RB4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 9 | RB5 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 10 | RB6 — General-purpose I/O / ICS PGC |
| Pin 11 | RB7 — General-purpose I/O / ICS PGD |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 13 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 14 | RC0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 15 | RC1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 16 | RC2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 17 | RC3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 18 | RC4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 19 | RC5 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 20 | RC6 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 21 | RC7 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 22 | RD0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 23 | RD1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 24 | RD2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 25 | RD3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 26 | RD4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 27 | RD5 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 28 | RD6 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 29 | RD7 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 30 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 31 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 32 | RE0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 33 | RE1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 34 | RE2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 35 | RE3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 36 | RE4 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 37 | RE5 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 38 | RE6 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 39 | RE7 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 40 | RF0 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 41 | RF1 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 42 | RF2 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 43 | RF3 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 44 | RF4 — General-purpose I/O / LCD COM |
| Pin 45 | RF5 — General-purpose I/O / LCD SEG |
| Pin 46 | RF6 — General-purpose I/O / LCD SEG |
| Pin 47 | RF7 — General-purpose I/O / LCD SEG |
| Pin 48 | RG0 — General-purpose I/O / LCD SEG |
| Pin 49 | RG1 — General-purpose I/O / LCD SEG |
| Pin 50 | RG2 — General-purpose I/O / LCD SEG |
| Pin 51 | RG3 — General-purpose I/O / LCD SEG |
| Pin 52 | RG6 — General-purpose I/O / TX |
| Pin 53 | RG7 — General-purpose I/O / RX |
| Pin 54 | RG8 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 55 | RG9 — General-purpose I/O |
| Pin 56 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 57 | VDD — Positive supply |
| Pin 58 | D- — USB D- |
| Pin 59 | D+ — USB D+ |
| Pin 60 | VBUS — USB VBUS sense |
| Pin 61 | VUSB — USB internal regulator output |
| Pin 62 | OSC1 — Crystal oscillator input |
| Pin 63 | OSC2 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 64 | EP — Exposed pad (thermal/ground) |
Typical Applications
PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR is suitable for 6 applications: USB Smart Sensor Hubs, Battery-Powered Fitness & Health Monitors with LCD, Industrial HMI Panels with USB Diagnostics, Electronic Metering and Smart Energy Devices, USB Medical Instruments and Point-of-Care Devices, Low-Power IoT Edge Nodes with USB Provisioning.
USB Smart Sensor Hubs
The PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR's integrated full-speed USB 2.0 controller plus 256KB Dual Partition Flash make it well suited to USB sensor hubs that must accept firmware updates in the field. The Dual Partition architecture lets one image execute while the second is being reprogrammed, so a connected hub never needs to drop off the bus during an OTA. With 32KB RAM, 12-bit ADC, and 53 I/O pins, the part comfortably handles multi-channel sensor aggregation. Unlike an external MCU + USB bridge design, the on-chip USB module eliminates a companion chip and reduces PCB area.
Recommended
Battery-Powered Fitness & Health Monitors with LCD
The PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR's eXtreme Low Power (XLP) modes and integrated segmented LCD controller directly target wearable fitness devices where battery life and a numeric LCD readout are mandatory. Deep-sleep currents in the microamp range extend coin-cell runtime, while the LCD driver eliminates an external HT1621 or similar chip, lowering BOM cost. The 256KB flash supports rich BLE-USB dongle stacks and on-device data logging, and 53 I/Os allow keypad, pulse-oximeter, and accelerometer integration on one MCU. Compared to discrete MCU+LCD-driver designs, this part consolidates the entire signal chain.
Recommended
Industrial HMI Panels with USB Diagnostics
Industrial HMI panels benefit from the PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR's segmented LCD, USB diagnostics port, and -40 C to +125 C extended industrial temperature rating. The USB port allows field technicians to attach a service laptop for log download and firmware update without opening the enclosure, while Dual Partition Flash guarantees the panel stays operational during updates. With 32KB RAM and rich CIPs (CLC, CWG, SMT), the MCU can handle keypad scanning, PWM backlight control, and RTCC timestamping in parallel. The 64-pin QFN footprint keeps panel boards compact for tight enclosure designs.
Recommended
Electronic Metering and Smart Energy Devices
Smart electricity, water, and gas meters benefit from the PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR's combination of LCD controller, 12-bit ADC, eXtreme Low Power, and 256KB of flash for protocol stacks. The LCD driver supports segmented displays showing consumption, tariff, and status icons without external drivers. The 12-bit ADC with multiple channels handles voltage and current sensing directly, while the RTCC keeps accurate timestamping across decades of operation. With dual partition flash, utilities can roll out firmware updates remotely without interrupting billing telemetry.
Recommended
USB Medical Instruments and Point-of-Care Devices
Point-of-care USB medical instruments use the PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR for its full-speed USB device capability, large flash for protocol stacks, and LCD controller for on-device readouts. The Dual Partition Flash supports safe firmware revisions required by FDA quality system regulations, while the segmented LCD displays test results without a graphic TFT. The 32KB RAM handles USB CDC + vendor-class stacks alongside sensor processing. The eXtreme Low Power modes allow battery-only operation between AC line cycles in portable carts.
Recommended
Low-Power IoT Edge Nodes with USB Provisioning
IoT edge nodes that provision and update over USB benefit from the PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR's USB device mode, Dual Partition Flash for OTA, and eXtreme Low Power sleep currents. Field technicians can attach a USB cable to provision credentials and push new firmware without JTAG hardware. The 256KB flash accommodates MQTT-SN, CoAP, or vendor protocols, while 32KB RAM handles TLS handshakes and JSON parsing. Unlike pure-radio IoT MCUs, this part's USB simplifies factory programming and field recovery.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC24FJ256GL406-E/MR | PIC24FJ256GB406T-I/MR | PIC24FJ128GU406-I/MR | PIC24FJ256GA406-I/MR | PIC24FJ256GB606T-I/MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm) | 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-pin QFN (9x9 mm) - same |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB Dual Partition | 256 KB (single partition) | 256 KB | 128 KB Dual Partition | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| RAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| Dual Partition Flash (OTA) | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Hardware Cryptography | No | No | Yes (Crypto) | No | Yes (Crypto) | No |
| USB Module | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Host/OTG/Device | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +125 C (Extended) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Core / Max Frequency | PIC24F 16-bit / 32 MHz (16 MIPS) | PIC24F 16-bit / 32 MHz | PIC24F 16-bit / 32 MHz | PIC24F 16-bit / 32 MHz | PIC24F 16-bit / 32 MHz | PIC24F 16-bit / 32 MHz |
Key Differentiators
- Dual Partition Flash enables live OTA firmware updates (vs PIC24FJ256GL406-E/MR)
- Larger 32KB RAM for USB stack and protocol overhead (vs PIC24FJ256GB406T-I/MR)
- Higher operating temperature ceiling for harsh environments (vs PIC24FJ128GU406-I/MR)
Design Notes
The Dual Partition Flash on the PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR requires the application image to be built with explicit partition boundaries in the linker script; placing the application across both partitions silently disables live OTA updates. Confirm the linker file reserves the alternate partition for the bootloader or secondary image, and never place the live image vector table outside the active partition. Use the Microchip MCC 'OTA Bootloader' project template to avoid misconfiguration.
The USB D+ and D- pair must be routed as a 90-ohm differential pair with 27-ohm series resistors placed within 5 mm of the MCU pins, and the VUSB decoupling capacitor (4.7 uF typical) must be located adjacent to the VUSB pin. Failure to keep the D+/D- pair short and matched can cause USB compliance test failures and intermittent enumeration. Reference the Microchip USB design checklist for the recommended ESD protection array on D+/D-/VBUS.
The segmented LCD controller on the PIC24FJ256GU406-E/MR draws significant current when driving many segments at high bias; for battery applications, use charge-pump mode with low-bias configuration and enable the LCD charge-pump only during display refresh cycles. The eXtreme Low Power sleep modes (Deep Sleep, Sleep) can disable the LCD peripheral entirely to drop quiescent current into the microamp range - critical for coin-cell-powered designs.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Microchip product page. The -E/MR suffix denotes extended industrial temperature range but is not AEC-Q100 qualified - for automotive applications select a Q-graded variant if available.
