PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML - 32-bit MCU 256KB Flash 40MHz QFN-28 | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.92 | $5.92 |
| 10 | $5.45 | $54.50 |
| 100 | $4.83 | $483.00 |
| 500 | $4.21 | $2,105.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.65 | $3,650.00 |
PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML Overview
What is a PIC32 microcontroller? A PIC32MX is a 32-bit microcontroller from Microchip's PIC32 family, built on the MIPS32 M4K architecture and positioned between the 8-bit PIC16/PIC18 families and the higher-end Cortex-M class parts. PIC32MX MCUs combine deterministic interrupt response, USB 2.0 Full-Speed On-The-Go, and rich analog peripherals, making them a popular choice for cost-sensitive embedded designs that need more horsepower than 8-bit parts but do not require an RTOS-class Cortex-M4 core.
Key features of this device include a 10-bit 1 Msps Analog-to-Digital Converter with up to 13 input channels, two I2S/SPI modules for codec and serial communications, Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible I/O mapping, a Parallel Master Port (PMP) for graphics interfaces, mTouch capacitive touch sensing, a 1 ns high-resolution timer, and an on-chip temperature sensor. The combination of USB OTG, PMP, and PPS enables compact human-machine-interface and connectivity designs.
Architecturally, the PIC32MX1xx/2xx family uses a single-cycle 32-bit MIPS M4K core with hardware multiply/divide, 5-stage pipeline, and prefetch cache for sustained throughput at 50 MHz. Memory is organized as a unified 256 KB Flash block plus 64 KB SRAM, supporting a bootloader and field firmware updates. The 28-QFN package uses an exposed thermal pad to dissipate the ~150 mW core power envelope, and the part supports 2.3 V to 3.6 V single-supply operation.
Typical applications include industrial USB-to-UART bridges, automotive body and HMI controllers (dashboards, climate panels), capacitive touch user interfaces, sensor aggregation nodes with USB diagnostics, and low-cost graphics terminals using PMP-driven TFTs. The integrated USB OTG controller eliminates the need for an external PHY in CDC-class device designs.
A primary design consideration is supply decoupling. Place a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair, plus a bulk 10 uF near the regulator output. The PPS feature must be configured in software at startup; failure to do so will leave peripherals mapped to default pins and may cause apparent "dead" I/O on custom layouts.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found on the manufacturer product page alone, helping engineers shorten sourcing and bring-up time for PIC32MX170F256B-based designs.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML — 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 PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Program Memory (Flash), USB, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX170F256BT-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.62 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX170F256BT-50I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX170F256B-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.25 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX170F256B-50I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.46 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX170F256BT-50V/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit RISC |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 50 MHz |
| DMIPS Performance | 83 DMIPS |
| Flash Program Memory | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| SRAM | 64 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| Active Current Consumption | 0.5 mA/MHz (typical) |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 1 Msps, up to 13 channels |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed On-The-Go |
| I2S / SPI Modules | 2 modules |
| Parallel Master Port (PMP) | Yes |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| mTouch Capacitive Touch Sensing | Yes |
| High-Resolution Timer | 1 ns resolution |
| On-Chip Temperature Sensor | Yes |
| Operating Temperature Range (V grade) | -40C to +105C (extended) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (6x6 mm) with exposed thermal pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Tape & Reel Packaging | Yes (T suffix) |
PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PGED3/AN10/RPB5 — Programming data / ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 2 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 3 | AN11/RPB6 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 4 | AN12/RPB7 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 5 | AN13/RPB8 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 6 | VUSB3V3 — USB transceiver 3.3V supply |
| Pin 7 | D-/RB10 — USB D- / GPIO port B |
| Pin 8 | D+/RB11 — USB D+ / GPIO port B |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | OSCI/CLKI/RC12 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock input |
| Pin 11 | OSCO/CLKO/RC15 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | AN0/RB0 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 14 | AN1/RB1 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 15 | AN2/RB2 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 16 | AN3/RB3 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 17 | VDD — Positive supply (2.3V - 3.6V) |
| Pin 18 | AN4/RB4 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 19 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 20 | AVSS — Analog ground reference |
| Pin 21 | AN5/RB14 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 22 | AN6/OCFA/RB13 — ADC input / Output Compare Fault A / GPIO |
| Pin 23 | AN7/RB12 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 24 | AN8/RB9 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 25 | AN9/RB15 — ADC input / GPIO port B |
| Pin 26 | PGEC2/RPA0 — Programming clock / GPIO port A |
| Pin 27 | PGED2/RPA1 — Programming data / GPIO port A |
| Pin 28 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active low |
Typical Applications
PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML is suitable for 6 applications: Industrial USB-to-UART Bridge, Automotive HMI and Climate Control Panel, Capacitive Touch User Interface, USB Sensor Aggregation and Diagnostics Dongle, Low-Cost Graphics Terminal with PMP TFT, Audio Codec Interface for Voice Playback.
Industrial USB-to-UART Bridge
The PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML's integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG controller and 256 KB Flash make it a strong fit for industrial USB-to-UART bridges used in factory automation and test equipment. With 64 KB SRAM and the 50 MHz MIPS M4K core delivering 83 DMIPS, the part can sustain 12 Mbps USB Full-Speed CDC throughput while running buffered serial-protocol stacks. The Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) feature lets engineers remap UART, I2C, or SPI peripheral functions to any available GPIO without board rework. A typical design places the MCU on a 3.3 V rail with a 12 MHz crystal driving the PLL to 50 MHz, exposing one USB device port plus four UART channels. The -40C to +105C /V grade supports outdoor cabinet or factory-floor deployments.
Recommended
Automotive HMI and Climate Control Panel
The PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML is well suited for automotive body-domain human-machine interface (HMI) and climate control panels thanks to its -40C to +105C extended temperature grade, Parallel Master Port for driving small TFT or character displays, and mTouch capacitive touch peripheral for capacitive button and slider interfaces. Its 256 KB Flash accommodates graphical bitmaps and multi-language UI strings, while 64 KB SRAM supports layered menu state machines and font caching. PPS allows flexible routing of the PMP data lines, freeing the PCB layout from rigid pin constraints. Compared with bare 8-bit microcontrollers, the 50 MHz MIPS core delivers smooth redraw at 30+ FPS on 3.5-inch QVGA panels without an external graphics controller, reducing BOM cost.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML's integrated mTouch capacitive touch sensing peripheral supports up to 13 touch channels with hardware-driven charge-time measurement, eliminating the need for an external touch controller in cost-sensitive appliance and consumer products. The 1 ns high-resolution timer (via the Input Capture peripheral) enables precise proximity and gesture algorithms, while the 50 MHz core runs Microchip's Harmony touch library with sub-10 ms response times. With 256 KB Flash, designers can layer on BLE pairing flows, OTA bootloaders, or piezo-buzzer audio feedback alongside the touch UI. The 28-QFN package fits behind glass or acrylic overlays as thin as 3 mm.
Recommended
USB Sensor Aggregation and Diagnostics Dongle
The PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML is ideal for USB sensor aggregation and diagnostics dongles used in field-service and lab environments, where it can act as a CDC or HID host that reads from I2C/SPI sensors and streams data over USB to a host PC. Its 256 KB Flash supports multiple sensor stack libraries (e.g., MEMS, environmental, biometric) and 64 KB SRAM buffers high-rate sample streams. The two I2S/SPI modules let engineers connect audio CODECs for acoustic diagnostics alongside digital sensors. With the /V extended temperature grade, the dongle performs reliably in vehicle test bays and outdoor enclosures. Internal USB OTG eliminates the BOM cost of an external PHY.
Recommended
Low-Cost Graphics Terminal with PMP TFT
The PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML's Parallel Master Port (PMP) drives small TFT displays (typically 2.4 to 4.3 inch QVGA/WQVGA) directly without an external graphics controller, cutting BOM cost in low-volume industrial terminals and vending machine user interfaces. The 50 MHz core delivers enough throughput to push pixel data through PMP at 25 MHz while still servicing touch input and network updates. The 10-bit ADC with up to 13 channels is well suited to reading analog front ends such as temperature probes or 4-20 mA loopback monitors. With 256 KB Flash, full-featured Microchip Harmony graphics stacks (MLA legacy) fit comfortably, including fonts and widgets.
Recommended
Audio Codec Interface for Voice Playback
The PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML integrates two I2S modules, which makes it well suited to interfacing with audio CODECs and DACs in voice-prompt and audio-playback appliances such as elevators, kiosks, and industrial warning systems. The 50 MHz MIPS core can sustain 48 ksps stereo I2S streams with headroom for audio file decoding from external SPI Flash. The 256 KB on-chip Flash can store short voice prompts directly, while the 64 KB SRAM acts as a play buffer to mask SD-card or SPI-Flash latency. The 10-bit ADC and on-chip temperature sensor support chassis health monitoring alongside audio playback, all in a single 28-QFN device.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX170F256BT-I/ML | PIC32MX170F256BT-50I/ML | PIC32MX170F256B-I/ML | PIC32MX170F256B-50I/ML | PIC32MX170F256BT-50V/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same | 28-QFN (6x6 mm) - same |
| Flash Program Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz (explicit /50 grade) | 50 MHz | 50 MHz (explicit /50 grade) | 50 MHz (explicit /50 grade) |
| Temperature Grade | V (-40C to +105C) | I (-40C to +85C) | I (-40C to +85C) | I (-40C to +85C) | I (-40C to +85C) | V (-40C to +105C) |
| Packaging Format | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tape & Reel | Tray | Tray | Tape & Reel |
| USB On-The-Go | Yes (integrated PHY) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG with internal PHY (vs PIC32MX130F256B-I/ML)
- Parallel Master Port (PMP) for direct graphics driving (vs PIC32MX110F016D-V/ML)
- Extended temperature grade /V variant for automotive and harsh environments (vs PIC32MX170F256B-I/ML)
- 50 MHz speed grade explicitly documented for PCN traceability (vs PIC32MX170F256BT-50V/ML (same die, explicit speed grade))
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF X7R ceramic decoupling capacitor within 2 mm of each VDD/AVDD pin and a single 10 uF bulk tantalum or ceramic capacitor near the regulator output. The PIC32MX170F256BT-V/ML draws up to ~30 mA peak at 50 MHz including USB and ADC; budget 100 mA from your 3.3 V rail to leave headroom for inrush and peripheral current. The VUSB3V3 pin must be tied to the 3.3 V rail even if USB is unused, otherwise the USB analog block may draw excess current or fail to enumerate. The exposed thermal pad (EP) must be soldered to a continuous ground plane for both thermal dissipation and electrical reference.
Keep the 12 MHz primary crystal traces (OSCI/OSCO) shorter than 10 mm and surround them with a ground guard ring to avoid noise coupling into the ADC or USB transceiver. Route the USB D+/D- differential pair with 90 ohm differential impedance, length-matched within 2 mm, and avoid routing near switching regulators or high-current traces. The exposed thermal pad on the 28-QFN package requires at least 8 thermal via connections to the inner ground plane for rated thermal performance.
Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) mappings are configured in software at startup - failure to call PPSUnlock + PPS remapping routines will leave peripherals on their default pins, which often do not match custom PCB layouts. Always verify the PPS configuration in your initialization code against the actual schematic. For USB designs, ensure the VBUS sense line is properly connected or tied to VUSB3V3 via a voltage divider, otherwise the USB driver may mis-detect host vs device role. The /V extended temperature grade supports up to +105C; derate clock frequency above 85C ambient per the datasheet thermal note.
When using the 10-bit ADC at 1 Msps, the input bandwidth of the sample-and-hold is approximately 100 MHz. Source impedance greater than 5 kohm will cause significant gain error; either buffer the input with a low-offset op-amp (e.g., MCP6L2) or extend the acquisition time. For PMP-driven TFT displays, add 22 ohm series resistors on the PMP data lines to dampen reflections on cables longer than 50 mm. The mTouch capacitive sensing peripheral is sensitive to VDD ripple; budget less than 50 mV peak-to-peak noise on the 3.3 V rail.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free compliant per Microchip product page. The /V temperature grade (-40C to +105C) is suitable for automotive interior and underhood-adjacent applications but is not formally AEC-Q100 qualified. For AEC-Q100-qualified PIC32 parts, consult Microchip's automotive product selector.