PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML - 32-bit MCU 256KB Flash 40MHz | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.42 | $5.42 |
| 10 | $4.87 | $48.70 |
| 100 | $4.32 | $432.00 |
| 500 | $3.78 | $1,890.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.31 | $3,310.00 |
PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML Overview
A PIC32MX microcontroller is a 32-bit RISC MCU built on the MIPS microAptiv/M4K core that combines the simplicity of the legacy PIC16/PIC18 toolchain with the throughput and address space of a 32-bit core. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, it sits in the hierarchy: microcontroller (MCU) -> 32-bit MCU -> MIPS32 MCU -> PIC32MX family. The architecture includes a 5-stage pipeline, hardware multiply/divide, single-cycle 32-bit ALU, and tightly-coupled peripherals tuned for USB, motor control, and graphical user interface (WQVGA) applications.
Key differentiating features include hardware USB 2.0 full-speed device/host/OTG, a 10-bit 1 Msps analog-to-digital converter with up to 28 channels, four general-purpose 16-bit timers/capture/compare, two UART, two SPI, two I2C, PMP (Parallel Master Port) for graphics, CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) for touch and capacitive sensing, and a 4-channel DMA controller. The 256 KB flash supports self-programming and the device includes a configurable interrupt controller with 5 priority levels.
The device operates from a single 2.3V to 3.6V supply, supports 5V-tolerant inputs (when configured), and features low-power Sleep, Idle, and Deep-Sleep modes with sub-microamp wake-up currents. The QFN-44 (8x8 mm) package with exposed thermal pad provides efficient heat dissipation for industrial designs where board space is constrained.
Typical applications include USB peripherals (HID, CDC, MSD), industrial control and sensing nodes, low-cost graphical HMI displays, capacitive touch user interfaces, motor control reference designs, and consumer appliances with USB connectivity. Its combination of USB, graphics, and touch peripherals also suits POS terminals, medical data acquisition front ends, and building automation controllers.
When designing with this part, note that firmware is developed under MPLAB X IDE with the XC32 compiler. The 16 KB SRAM is shared between data and DMA buffers, so USB + graphics stacks benefit from a careful memory map. Decoupling requires at minimum a 100 nF ceramic near each VDD/VSS pair plus a bulk 4.7 uF at the regulator output.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-family alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX230F256DT-I/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 PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, I/O Pins, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX230F256D-50I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX230F256DT-50I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX230F064DT-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX174F256DT-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX150F128DT-V/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX274F256B-I/ML
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | MIPS32 M4K |
| Core Size | 32-Bit Single-Core |
| Max CPU Speed | 40 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| RAM | 16 KB |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) with exposed pad |
| Pin Count | 44 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 28 channels, 1 Msps |
| Connectivity | I2C, IrDA, LINbus, PMP, SPI, UART/USART, USB |
| USB | USB 2.0 FS device/host/OTG |
| Timers | 4 x 16-bit (Input Capture/Output Compare/PWM) |
| DMA Channels | 4 |
| Special Features | Brown-out Detect, CTMU, POR, PWM, WDT |
| Peripheral I/O Count | 33 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| MSL Level | 3 (168 hours) |
| Architecture | MIPS microAptiv, 5-stage pipeline |
PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RB9 — General purpose I/O / CTMU / PMP |
| Pin 2 | RC0 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 3 | RC1 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 4 | RC2 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 5 | VDD — Supply voltage 2.3V-3.6V |
| Pin 6 | RC3 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 7 | RC4 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 8 | RC5 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | RC6 — General purpose I/O / USB VBUS |
| Pin 11 | RC7 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 12 | RC8 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 13 | RC9 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 14 | VBUS — USB VBUS sense input |
| Pin 15 | D- — USB D- data line |
| Pin 16 | D+ — USB D+ data line |
| Pin 17 | VUSB — USB 3.3V supply |
| Pin 18 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage |
| Pin 19 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 20 | RB0 — Program/Debug, AN0 |
| Pin 21 | RB1 — AN1, PGECx |
| Pin 22 | RB2 — AN2, PGEDx |
| Pin 23 | RB3 — AN3 |
| Pin 24 | RB4 — AN4 |
| Pin 25 | RB5 — AN5 |
| Pin 26 | RB6 — AN6, OC1 |
| Pin 27 | RB7 — AN7, OC2 |
| Pin 28 | RB8 — AN8, OC3 |
| Pin 29 | MCLR — Master Clear / Reset input |
| Pin 30 | RA0 — OSC1, AN16 |
| Pin 31 | RA1 — OSC2, AN17 |
| Pin 32 | RA2 — AN18 |
| Pin 33 | RA3 — AN19 |
| Pin 34 | RA4 — AN20 |
| Pin 35 | RA5 — AN21 |
| Pin 36 | RA6 — AN22 |
| Pin 37 | RA7 — AN23 |
| Pin 38 | VDD — Supply voltage |
| Pin 39 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 40 | RA8 — AN24 / U2RTS |
| Pin 41 | RA9 — AN25 / U2CTS |
| Pin 42 | RA10 — AN26 |
| Pin 43 | RB10 — AN27 |
| Pin 44 | RB11 — PMP / AN28 |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad (connect to VSS) |
Typical Applications
PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard / Mouse / Custom HID), Industrial Sensor Node with USB Diagnostics, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Low-Cost Graphical HMI with PMP Display, USB-Based Battery Charger / Power Bank Controller, Audio USB Streaming Device (USB Speaker / Headset).
USB HID Peripheral (Keyboard / Mouse / Custom HID)
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML is a strong fit for USB Human Interface Device peripherals because of its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed controller with on-chip transceiver and 1 KB dedicated USB RAM, combined with 256 KB flash that comfortably fits Microchip's free HID device stack plus a custom HID report generator and bootloader. The 40 MHz MIPS32 M4K core provides ~40 MIPS, easily running USB polling at 1 kHz with margins for parsing and LED control logic. The 33 available I/O pins are sufficient for matrix-scanning keyboards (up to 16x8 matrix), and the DMA controller offloads endpoint buffer transfers so the CPU can handle HID report composition without timing violations.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Node with USB Diagnostics
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML fits industrial sensor nodes that need a USB diagnostics port because the integrated USB controller allows firmware updates and log streaming without an external bridge chip, while the 10-bit 1 Msps ADC samples analog sensor channels at high speed for vibration, temperature, or pressure monitoring. The 16 KB RAM hosts a small RTOS plus USB CDC + a UDP-style diagnostics protocol, and the 256 KB flash retains the main application alongside a USB DFU bootloader for field firmware updates. The industrial -40C to +85C operating range suits factory floor deployment without additional thermal management.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML is well-suited for capacitive touch buttons and sliders thanks to its CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit), which provides hardware-timed charge measurement across up to 28 channels and lets firmware discriminate touches with sub-percent sensitivity. Combined with 256 KB flash, a 40 MIPS core, and PMP for driving an auxiliary LCD, a single IC can implement a kitchen-appliance HMI with 12+ touch pads and a graphical display. The QFN-44 package keeps the BOM small enough for hand-held consumer products and the low-power Sleep mode with CTMU wake-up enables battery-powered designs that run for years on a CR2032 cell.
Recommended
Low-Cost Graphical HMI with PMP Display
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML can drive a small WQVGA (240x320) graphical TFT directly through its Parallel Master Port (PMP) interface, using DMA to push pixel data from SRAM into the display controller without CPU intervention. The 16 KB SRAM holds a partial framebuffer for animations, and the 256 KB flash stores fonts, icons, and a lightweight graphics library. The 40 MHz core plus DMA keep screen redraws smooth enough for menu navigation, and the integrated USB provides a convenient touch-panel firmware update path during production programming.
Recommended
USB-Based Battery Charger / Power Bank Controller
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML serves as the controller in USB-PD-aware or USB-C battery charger applications because the USB peripheral negotiates the attached source's current advertisement, and the 10-bit ADC samples charging current and battery voltage to implement CC/CV charge termination in firmware. The 40 MHz MIPS core executes PID loops for current regulation, while the 256 KB flash stores the entire USB Type-C state machine plus logging. The QFN-44 package is thermally efficient through its exposed pad, allowing 1.5W dissipation at full charge without a heatsink.
Recommended
Audio USB Streaming Device (USB Speaker / Headset)
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML is appropriate for low-cost USB audio peripherals because the integrated USB Full-Speed controller supports USB Audio Class 1.0 at 48 kHz/16-bit, and the DMA channels sustain audio streaming without CPU intervention. The 10-bit ADC plus PWM timer can drive a basic mono speaker output, and the 256 KB flash stores USB descriptors plus a small audio processing chain (volume control, EQ). The 16 KB RAM holds audio buffers for low-latency playback, and the 40 MHz core is fast enough for the audio sample processing plus USB isochronous transactions.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX230F256D-50I/ML | PIC32MX230F064DT-I/ML | PIC32MX174F256DT-I/ML | PIC32MX274F256B-I/ML | PIC32MX150F128DT-V/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-QFN (8x8) - /ML | 44-QFN (8x8) - same | 44-QFN (8x8) - same | 44-QFN (8x8) - same | 44-QFN (8x8) - same | 44-QFN (8x8) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Max CPU Speed | 40 MHz | 50 MHz (+25%) | 40 MHz (same) | 40 MHz (same) | 72 MHz (+80%) | 40 MHz (same) |
| Flash | 256 KB | 256 KB (same) | 64 KB (-75%) | 256 KB (same) | 256 KB (same) | 128 KB (-50%) |
| RAM | 16 KB | 16 KB (same) | 16 KB (same) | 16 KB (same) | 32 KB (+100%) | 32 KB (+100%) |
| USB | USB FS Device/Host/OTG | USB FS (same) | USB FS (same) | USB FS (same) | USB FS + HS PHY option | No USB |
| ADC Resolution | 10-bit, 28 channels | 10-bit, 28 channels (same) | 10-bit, 28 channels (same) | 10-bit, 28 channels (same) | 10-bit, 28 channels (same) | 10-bit, 28 channels (same) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +85C (same) | -40C to +105C (Automotive V) |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed controller with on-chip transceiver (vs PIC32MX150F128DT-V/ML)
- 256 KB flash vs 128 KB on the PIC32MX1x0 family (vs PIC32MX150F128DT-V/ML)
- CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) for capacitive touch (vs PIC32MX274F256B-I/ML)
Design Notes
Place a 100 nF X7R ceramic bypass capacitor within 3 mm of every VDD/VSS pin pair (the 44-QFN has 2 VDD and 2 VSS pins) plus a single 4.7 uF bulk capacitor at the regulator output. The analog AVDD/AVSS pair additionally requires a ferrite bead or 10 ohm resistor between digital VDD and AVDD, with its own 100 nF decoupling, to keep ADC reference noise below 1 LSB at 1 Msps sampling rate. Estimated power consumption: at 40 MHz full MIPS throughput, IDD is approximately 25 mA from a 3.3V supply.
Solder the exposed thermal pad (EP, pin 45) directly to a continuous ground copper pour of at least 25 mm^2 on the top side of the board, stitched with thermal vias (0.3 mm drill, 0.5 mm pitch) to the internal ground plane. The EP carries the bulk of heat dissipation; leaving it floating raises theta_JA above 100 C/W and risks thermal shutdown at industrial temperatures. For USB designs, route D+ and D- as a 90 ohm differential pair matched within 0.5 mm of length, with a ground reference plane on layer 2.
The internal 8 MHz Fast RC oscillator drifts up to +/-2% over voltage and temperature; for USB designs that need 0.25% clock accuracy, configure the Primary Oscillator with an external 8 MHz crystal and use the PLL with the USB-specific prescaler (PLLIDIV=2, PLLMULT=20, PLLODIV=1) to derive the 48 MHz USB clock. Without this, the USB Full-Speed eye diagram will fail compliance. Also note the 16 KB SRAM is shared across CPU, DMA, and USB endpoints; reserve at least 4 KB explicitly for the USB endpoint FIFO region to avoid overwrite by DMA buffers.
Keep the trace length from the ICSP pins (PGECx/PGEDx on RB1/RB2) under 50 mm to the programming connector, and add 4.7 kohm pull-ups on MCLR as the datasheet requires. For touch-sensing designs using CTMU, route the touch electrodes with a 0.2 mm hatch ground plane flood and place a 10 kohm series resistor at each CTMU channel pin to suppress ESD transients. The QFN-44 8x8 mm package has 0.4 mm pitch pads requiring NSMD (non-solder mask defined) land patterns for reliable reflow.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per JLCPCB and Mouser product pages; industrial temperature grade only - select AEC-Q100 qualified variants (e.g. PIC32MX230F064D-V/TL) for automotive applications. Lead-free reflow profile per JEDEC J-STD-020.
