PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL - 32-bit MCU, 256KB Flash, USB, 44-VTLA | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.83 | $4.83 |
| 10 | $4.31 | $43.10 |
| 100 | $3.62 | $362.00 |
| 500 | $3.09 | $1,545.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.74 | $2,740.00 |
PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (SRAM), and peripherals such as ADC, timers, and communication interfaces. Within the broader semiconductor taxonomy, an MCU sits under microcontrollers, then embedded ICs, then integrated circuits. The 32-bit MIPS M4K class enables deterministic real-time performance and ample code headroom for connected embedded designs where 8-bit or 16-bit cores run out of memory or throughput.
Key features of the PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL include 256KB single-cycle-access Flash (256K x 8), 16KB SRAM, USB 2.0 full-speed OTG with integrated transceiver, up to 33 general-purpose I/O pins, a 10-bit 1.1 Msps ADC with up to 28 input channels, multiple UART/SPI/I2C interfaces, a Parallel Master Port (PMP) for graphics or external memory, and an RTCC with calendar mode. The 44-VTLA (6x6 mm) package exposes a thermal pad for low thermal resistance.
Architecturally, the PIC32MX230F256D uses the MIPS M4K 32-bit core with a 5-stage pipeline and a Harvard bus for simultaneous Flash and data access. The integrated USB 2.0 OTG controller with on-chip PHY eliminates external transceiver cost, and the peripheral pin select (PPS) feature lets designers remap digital functions to any GPIO, simplifying PCB layout.
Typical applications include USB HID peripherals, audio playback/recording devices, low-cost graphics with PMP-driven LCDs, sensor data loggers, and industrial control nodes. The combination of USB, PMP, and ADC makes it well suited to mixed-signal embedded products. Compared with a Cortex-M0+ part at the same frequency, the MIPS M4K offers a richer DSP-friendly instruction set and more deterministic interrupt latency.
When designing with this MCU, allocate the exposed pad (EP) to a contiguous copper pour with multiple thermal vias to keep junction temperature within ratings. Configure the PLL and system clock with care, because USB operation requires a precise 48 MHz reference; use the on-chip 8 MHz oscillator with the PLL rather than relying on a noisy external source.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives drawn from the same PIC32MX2 family, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet - giving engineers and procurement teams a single reference for evaluation and sourcing.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX230F256DT-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 PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Timers, Operating Temperature, USB.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX230F256D-50I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX230F256DT-50I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX170F256DT-50I/TL
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.16 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX174F256DT-I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| SRAM | 16 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Package | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG with on-chip transceiver |
| ADC | 10-bit, 1.1 Msps, up to 28 channels |
| I/O Pins | Up to 33 |
| Communication Interfaces | UART, SPI, I2C, USB OTG, PMP, LIN, IrDA |
| Timers | 5 x 16-bit, 2 x 32-bit |
| RTCC | Yes (Real-Time Clock/Calendar) |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| DMA | 4-channel |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RPB0 — Port B bit 0 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 2 | RPB1 — Port B bit 1 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 3 | RPB2 — Port B bit 2 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 4 | RPB3 — Port B bit 3 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 6 | RPB4 — Port B bit 4 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 7 | RPB5 — Port B bit 5 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 8 | RPB6 — Port B bit 6 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 9 | RPB7 — Port B bit 7 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 10 | RPB8 — Port B bit 8 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 11 | RPB9 — Port B bit 9 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 12 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 13 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 14 | RPC0 — Port C bit 0 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 15 | RPC1 — Port C bit 1 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 16 | RPC2 — Port C bit 2 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 17 | RPC3 — Port C bit 3 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 18 | RPC4 — Port C bit 4 with peripheral pin select / D- (USB) |
| Pin 19 | RPC5 — Port C bit 5 with peripheral pin select / D+ (USB) |
| Pin 20 | RPC6 — Port C bit 6 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 21 | RPC7 — Port C bit 7 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 22 | RPC8 — Port C bit 8 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 23 | RPC9 — Port C bit 9 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 24 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 25 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 26 | AVDD — Analog positive supply |
| Pin 27 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 28 | RPD0 — Port D bit 0 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 29 | RPD1 — Port D bit 1 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 30 | RPD2 — Port D bit 2 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 31 | RPD3 — Port D bit 3 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 32 | RPD4 — Port D bit 4 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 33 | RPD5 — Port D bit 5 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 34 | RPD6 — Port D bit 6 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 35 | RPD7 — Port D bit 7 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 36 | RPD8 — Port D bit 8 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 37 | RPD9 — Port D bit 9 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 38 | RPD10 — Port D bit 10 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 39 | RPD11 — Port D bit 11 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 40 | RPD12 — Port D bit 12 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 41 | RPD13 — Port D bit 13 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 42 | RPD14 — Port D bit 14 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 43 | RPD15 — Port D bit 15 with peripheral pin select |
| Pin 44 | EP — Exposed thermal pad - must be soldered to ground pour |
Typical Applications
PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL is suitable for 7 applications: USB HID Peripheral Devices, Audio Playback and Recording Devices, Industrial Sensor Data Loggers, Low-Cost Graphics with PMP-Driven LCDs, USB-to-UART Bridge Adapters, Home Automation and Smart Sensor Hubs, Educational and Development Platforms.
USB HID Peripheral Devices
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL is well suited for USB Human Interface Devices such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, and custom HID input devices. Its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG controller with on-chip transceiver eliminates the need for an external PHY, simplifying the BOM and reducing PCB area to a single D+/D- pair and connector. The 256 KB Flash holds full HID class stacks, vendor-specific report descriptors, and feature firmware, while 16 KB SRAM is adequate for HID report buffers and small protocol state machines. At 40 MHz MIPS M4K, the core has ample headroom for debounce, lighting effects, and host polling without timing pressure.
Recommended
Audio Playback and Recording Devices
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL fits low-cost audio products such as WAV/MP3 players, voice recorders, and USB audio peripherals. The PMP (Parallel Master Port) can directly drive common 8080-interface LCDs or external DACs, while the DMA controller offloads sample movement from the CPU. The 10-bit ADC at 1.1 Msps is sufficient for voice-band capture, and the 16 KB SRAM can buffer short PCM samples. A 40 MHz MIPS M4K core handles software codecs at modest bit rates. Compared with a Cortex-M0+ in the same class, the MIPS M4K offers stronger DSP-friendly instructions for custom audio processing.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Data Loggers
For industrial sensor monitoring nodes, the PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL combines a 10-bit ADC with 28 input channels, 16 KB SRAM, and 256 KB Flash in an industrial -40C to +85C temperature range. The RTCC with calendar mode enables timestamped logging without an external clock chip. UART/SPI/I2C interfaces connect to sensors, EEPROMs, and isolated comms modules. The 44-VTLA exposed pad provides adequate thermal performance for factory environments. Per the Microchip family datasheet, the ADC reference inputs (VREF+/VREF-) allow ratiometric measurements critical for bridge and thermistor sensor designs.
Recommended
Low-Cost Graphics with PMP-Driven LCDs
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL drives small 8080-interface TFT or monochrome LCDs through its Parallel Master Port without an external controller. The 256 KB Flash holds framebuffer tables and font data while 16 KB SRAM provides line buffers for partial updates. PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) reassigns digital functions to any GPIO, easing PCB routing between MCU and LCD connector. The 40 MHz core refreshes small QVGA panels comfortably. Compared with PIC18 or PIC24 alternatives, the 32-bit MIPS M4K provides the throughput to drive animated UI elements in cost-sensitive HMI products.
Recommended
USB-to-UART Bridge Adapters
USB-to-UART bridge dongles benefit from the PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL's integrated USB device controller with on-chip transceiver and multiple UART peripherals. The CDC class firmware is small enough to fit well within 256 KB Flash, leaving room for vendor commands and bootloaders. The DMA channels handle USB packet movement without CPU intervention, allowing high sustained UART baud rates. The 44-VTLA 6x6 mm package fits inside compact adapter housings. Per the Microchip datasheet, the UART modules support hardware flow control (RTS/CTS), useful for industrial fieldbus converters built on the same MCU.
Recommended
Home Automation and Smart Sensor Hubs
Smart home sensor hubs, ZigBee/Wi-Fi co-processor hosts, and BLE bridges can use the PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL as an application processor. USB OTG supports Wi-Fi dongles for IP connectivity, while I2C/SPI attach to sensors and radio modules. The 256 KB Flash holds application logic plus Over-The-Air (OTA) bootloader space, and 16 KB SRAM is sufficient for sensor fusion buffers. RTCC provides wake-up scheduling for battery-aware designs. Compared with bare 8-bit MCUs, the 32-bit MIPS core executes TLS handshake fragments much faster, lowering Wi-Fi link latency in connected appliances.
Recommended
Educational and Development Platforms
The PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL targets academic and maker education because it combines USB, ADC, PMP, and ample Flash/SRAM within a hobbyist-friendly Microchip MPLAB X toolchain. The 44-VTLA exposed pad is breadboard-incompatible, so most evaluation boards (e.g., PIC32MX USB Starter Kit II) route it to 0.1-inch headers. Students can experiment with USB stacks, RTOS ports (FreeRTOS), and DSP filters using the same MIPS M4K instruction set taught in many university courses. Compared with ARM-based boards at the same price point, the PIC32MX offers deeper legacy support and richer Microchip application notes for self-study.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX230F256DT-I/TL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX230F256DT-I/ML | PIC32MX230F256D-50I/ML | PIC32MX230F256DT-50I/PT | PIC32MX170F256DT-50I/TL | PIC32MX174F256DT-I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-VTLA (6x6 mm) | 44-VTLA family | 44-QFN (8x8) | 44-TQFP (10x10) | 44-VTLA (6x6) - same | 44-QFN (8x8) |
| Core | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MHz | 40 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 40 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| USB OTG | Yes (FS OTG, integrated PHY) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 OTG transceiver with 256 KB Flash (vs PIC32MX170F256DT-50I/TL)
- 44-VTLA 6x6 mm leadless package for compact designs (vs PIC32MX230F256DT-50I/PT)
- 32-bit MIPS M4K core at 40 MHz with deterministic interrupts (vs PIC32MX230F256D-50I/ML)
Design Notes
Estimated: at 40 MHz MIPS M4K core, typical active current is approximately 30 mA (per Microchip family datasheet DS60001168L typical power tables), giving roughly 0.1 W dissipation. The 44-VTLA exposed pad (pin 44) MUST be soldered to a ground copper pour with at least 4 thermal vias for adequate heat sinking, even at modest power levels. Place 0.1 uF decoupling capacitors within 3 mm of each VDD/VSS pair, and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the package. A separate AVDD filter (ferrite bead + 10 uF + 0.1 uF) is recommended when using the ADC for low-noise measurements.
USB D+ and D+ lines (RPC4/RPC5 on this package) require a 90-ohm differential impedance, with matching-length routing and an ESD protection array such as USBLC6-2SC6 close to the connector. According to the Microchip datasheet, USB Full-Speed signaling requires the on-chip 48 MHz PLL to be locked and stable before VBUS is applied. Place the 27 MHz crystal or external clock source within 5 mm of the OSC1/OSC2 pins and guard it with a ground ring to avoid coupling noise into the USB reference.
Do not skip configuration of the peripheral pin select (PPS) registers - PIC32MX230F256D requires explicit PPS mapping for every digital function (UART, SPI, PWM) before the peripheral will drive the intended pin. According to Microchip datasheet DS60001168L, omitting PPS configuration is the most common reason new designs appear non-functional. Also note that pins are 5V-tolerant only when configured as digital inputs; driving a 5V signal into an output pin or analog input will damage the part. Use external level shifters when interfacing 5V peripherals.
The Parallel Master Port (PMP) data lines can switch simultaneously when refreshing a graphics LCD, creating significant ground bounce if not properly decoupled. Per Microchip layout guidelines, group PMP signals on adjacent pins to minimize via transitions, and route them over a continuous ground plane. Keep the PMP bus length under 50 mm to preserve timing margins at 40 MHz. Separate analog (AVDD/AVSS) and digital grounds at the MCU, joining them only at the PCB's main ground star point.
Compliance Information
Industrial -40C to +85C grade; not AEC-Q100 qualified - use PIC32MX230F256DT-V/TL automotive variant for AEC-Q100 applications. RoHS and REACH compliance per Microchip product page and DigiKey listing.
