PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL - 32-bit MCU 32KB Flash 40MHz 36-VTLA | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.18 | $3.18 |
| 10 | $2.92 | $29.20 |
| 100 | $2.71 | $271.00 |
| 500 | $2.45 | $1,225.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.2 | $2,200.00 |
PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and peripherals such as ADC, timers, and communication interfaces. Within the broader category, the PIC32MX120F032C sits in the 32-bit MCU segment (hypernym: 32-bit microcontroller -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC). The 32-bit MIPS M4K core provides substantially more compute headroom and code density than 8/16-bit predecessors, while keeping the classic PIC peripheral ecosystem and MPLAB X toolchain compatibility.
Key features include 32 KB single-cycle Flash program memory, 8 KB SRAM, four channels of hardware DMA with automatic data-size detection, three analog comparators, a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) supporting mTouch capacitive touch sensing, separate PLLs for CPU and USB clocks, two 16-bit timers and one 16-bit timer pair for input capture/PWM, Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) remapping, and configurable watchdog with on-chip low-power RC oscillator. The CTMU also enables on-chip temperature measurement.
Architecturally, the PIC32MX120F032C uses a load/store MIPS32 RISC core with single-cycle multiply, hardware multiply-accumulate, and a 5-stage pipeline. It supports instruction and data prefetch to mask Flash wait states, plus a separate peripheral bus matrix. The 36-VTLA package exposes up to 25 general-purpose I/O, USB D+/D-, two analog comparator outputs, and a full ICSP programming/debug port (PGECx/PGEDx pairs).
Typical applications include USB HID/CDC devices, consumer audio accessories with on-chip ADC, capacitive touch user interfaces using CTMU, low-cost graphics terminals, sensor hubs, and industrial control nodes requiring USB connectivity and 32-bit performance at sub-1 mA active currents.
When designing with this MCU, allocate a 4.7 uF bulk and 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling pair near every VDD pin, route the 8 MHz primary oscillator crystal within 1 cm of OSCI/OSCO with a grounded guard ring, and observe USB differential-pair impedance (90 ohm differential) on D+/D-. The VTLA-36 land pattern uses an exposed thermal pad that MUST be soldered to the ground plane for mechanical and thermal reliability.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, comparison data, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, giving engineers a single reference for PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL sourcing and design-in decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL — 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 PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in DMA Channels, ADC, Timers, USB, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX130F064C-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.82 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX120F032CT-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.42 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX150F128C-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX170F256C-I/TL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX230F064C-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit RISC |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 40 MHz |
| Flash Program Memory | 32 KB (32K x 8) |
| SRAM | 8 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| Package | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 1.1 Msps, up to 13 channels |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) |
| UART | 2 |
| I2C | 2 |
| SPI | 2 |
| DMA Channels | 4 (with automatic data size detection) |
| Comparators | Up to 3 |
| CTMU | Yes (mTouch capacitive touch + 1 ns time measurement) |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| General-Purpose I/O | Up to 25 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VSS — Ground reference for digital logic |
| Pin 2 | VDD — Digital supply voltage (2.3V-3.6V) |
| Pin 3 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage for ADC reference |
| Pin 4 | AVSS — Analog ground for ADC |
| Pin 5 | OSCI — Primary oscillator crystal input (8 MHz typical) |
| Pin 6 | OSCO — Primary oscillator crystal output |
| Pin 7 | SOSCI — Secondary low-power oscillator crystal input |
| Pin 8 | SOSCO — Secondary low-power oscillator crystal output |
| Pin 9 | VBUS — USB VBUS sensing input (5V tolerant) |
| Pin 10 | D- — USB D- differential data line |
| Pin 11 | D+ — USB D+ differential data line |
| Pin 12 | PGED1 — ICSP programming/debug data line pair 1 |
| Pin 13 | PGEC1 — ICSP programming/debug clock pair 1 |
| Pin 14 | MCLR — Master Clear reset (active-low, internal pull-up) |
| Pin 15 | RA0 — GPIO / analog input AN0 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 16 | RA1 — GPIO / analog input AN1 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 17 | RA2 — GPIO / analog input AN2 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 18 | RA3 — GPIO / analog input AN3 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 19 | RA4 — GPIO / analog input AN4 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 20 | RB0 — GPIO / PWM OC1 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — GPIO / PWM OC2 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — GPIO / PWM OC3 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — GPIO / PWM OC4 (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 24 | RB5 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 25 | RB6 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 26 | RB7 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 27 | RB8 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 28 | RB9 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 29 | RC0 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 30 | RC1 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 31 | RC2 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 32 | RC3 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 33 | RC4 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 34 | RC5 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 35 | RC6 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable) |
| Pin 36 | RC7 — GPIO / peripheral I/O (PPS-mappable, also PGED2/PGEC2 alternate) |
Typical Applications
PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID / CDC Peripherals, Capacitive Touch User Interfaces (mTouch), Industrial Sensor Hubs and Data Loggers, Low-Cost Graphics LCD Terminals, Consumer Audio Accessories, Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes.
USB HID / CDC Peripherals
The PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL's integrated USB 2.0 full-speed device controller with on-chip transceiver and dedicated USB PLL (independent of CPU clock) makes it a strong fit for USB HID keyboards, mice, CDC virtual COM ports, and custom USB peripherals. Its 32 KB Flash is sufficient for USB stacks and small HID report descriptors, while 8 KB SRAM handles endpoint buffers and CDC line-codec state. At 40 MHz MIPS throughput, the MCU can enumerate USB, process HID reports, and respond within sub-millisecond frame intervals with no firmware-level bottlenecks. The Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) feature remaps USB D+/D- to alternate pads if PCB routing forces layout changes.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interfaces (mTouch)
The integrated Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) with 1 ns time resolution and Microchip's mTouch library makes the PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL ideal for cost-sensitive capacitive touch buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors in appliances and consumer products. The CTMU drives up to 13 channels with simultaneous die-temperature compensation, eliminating external touch ICs and reducing BOM cost. At 40 MHz, the MIPS core executes mTouch scanning and averaging fast enough for sub-10 ms response times across a 12-button panel. The 8 KB SRAM holds debounce state, gesture history, and LED PWM patterns, while PPS routes touch channels to convenient pins without PCB rework.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Hubs and Data Loggers
With its 10-bit 1.1 Msps ADC supporting up to 13 analog inputs, 4-channel hardware DMA, and 2.3-3.6 V operation across the industrial -40C to +85C range, the PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL is well-suited for multi-sensor industrial hubs and standalone data loggers. DMA offloads ADC result transfers without CPU intervention, freeing the 40 MHz core for sensor fusion, USB streaming, or local SD-card writes. The 8 KB SRAM buffers multi-channel sample bursts, and 32 KB Flash stores calibration tables and logging firmware. The CTMU adds temperature compensation across the operating range, making the MCU a one-chip solution for thermocouple or RTD-based monitoring nodes.
Recommended
Low-Cost Graphics LCD Terminals
The PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL's 40 MHz performance, PPS remapping, and 4-channel DMA make it suitable for low-cost text/graphics LCD terminals driving small TFT or character displays via SPI or 8-bit parallel. The MIPS32 core delivers enough throughput to refresh QVGA displays at 30+ fps while handling USB command input. The 8 KB SRAM holds a frame buffer for small panels, and 32 KB Flash stores font tables and command parsers. The 36-VTLA package in 5x5 mm gives ample GPIO for parallel data plus control lines, and the on-chip CTMU can drive resistive touch overlays without a separate touch controller.
Recommended
Consumer Audio Accessories
With USB 2.0 full-speed, two I2S-capable timers, DMA, and a 10-bit DAC-class PWM, the PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL fits USB audio class 1.0 accessories such as USB speakers, headsets, and audio dongles that stream 16-bit/48 kHz PCM. The USB PLL maintains +/-0.25% clock accuracy for low-jitter audio, while DMA feeds endpoint buffers to the PWM stage without CPU overhead. The 32 KB Flash holds the USB audio class stack plus a small audio mixer, and 8 KB SRAM is sufficient for stereo 48 kHz double-buffering. Industrial temperature grade ensures reliability in enclosed chassis with elevated ambient temperatures.
Recommended
Battery-Powered IoT Edge Nodes
The PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL supports multiple low-power modes (Sleep, Idle, and Deep Sleep with RTCC retention) and runs from 2.3 V to 3.6 V, suiting battery-powered IoT edge nodes powered by 2x AA or single-cell Li-ion. The 8 KB SRAM, 4-channel DMA, and CTMU temperature sensor enable sensor aggregation and edge pre-processing between sleeps, while USB 2.0 FS supports periodic tethered configuration. The MIPS32 core at 40 MHz executes sensor-fusion routines in sub-millisecond windows before returning to sleep, and the on-chip LPRC oscillator and configurable WDT provide reliable wake-up without an external RTC.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX120F032C-I/TL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX130F064C-I/TL | PIC32MX150F128C-I/TL | PIC32MX170F256C-I/TL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) - same | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) - same | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 8 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB |
| Maximum CPU Clock | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz |
| USB Controller | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed | USB 2.0 Full-Speed |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) | Industrial (-40C to +85C) |
| DMA Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1) | $3.18 | $3.50 | $4.25 | $5.10 |
Key Differentiators
- Pin-compatible upgrade path within PIC32MX family (vs PIC32MX130F064C-I/TL)
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed with dedicated PLL (vs PIC32MX170F256C-I/TL)
- CTMU and mTouch support at lowest price point (vs PIC32MX150F128C-I/TL)
Design Notes
The 36-VTLA package has an exposed thermal pad on the underside that MUST be soldered to a continuous ground plane for both mechanical reliability and thermal dissipation. Place a 4.7 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor plus a 0.1 uF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 12 V of every VDD pin, and a separate 0.1 uF + 10 uF pair on AVDD/AVSS to isolate ADC reference noise from digital switching. According to Microchip datasheet DS60001168L, AVDD and AVSS must connect to the same potential as VDD and VSS even if the ADC is unused.
Route the USB D+/D- differential pair as a 90-ohm differential impedance matched line, keeping them within 12 mm of the connector and away from switching signals. Place the primary 8 MHz crystal within 12 mm of OSCI/OSCO with a grounded guard ring to minimize EMI coupling; the secondary 32.768 kHz crystal should follow the same rules if RTCC is used. PPS assignments should be planned during schematic capture because re-routing PPS maps at PCB layout stage forces costly respins.
Do not assume 32 KB Flash is sufficient for USB audio class stacks plus application code - measure your compiled binary size before committing. MCLR must have a 10 kohm pull-up to VDD or the device may fail to start intermittently. The CTMU uses precise current sources that require clean analog supply - do not route high-current digital returns through AVSS or temperature-measurement readings will drift. Estimate: at 40 MHz active, the MCU draws ~30 mA, so a regulator rated at 100 mA minimum is needed for headroom.
Compliance Information
RoHS/REACH/lead-free status was not present in the verified web data and is marked as [DATA_NEEDED]. Microchip publishes material composition declarations per part number; consult Microchip direct for RoHS/REACH certificates.