PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL - 50MHz 128KB Flash 32-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.96 | $5.96 |
| 10 | $5.39 | $53.90 |
| 100 | $4.78 | $478.00 |
| 500 | $4.32 | $2,160.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.85 | $3,850.00 |
PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory, working RAM, and a rich set of on-chip peripherals. The PIC32MX family sits in the 32-bit microcontroller hierarchy: it uses a MIPS32 RISC core rather than an 8-bit PIC core, giving a step change in performance and addressable memory. The 'PIC32' family descends from the original PIC 8-bit line and provides higher compute density for embedded designs that require networking stacks, graphical user interfaces, or audio processing at low BOM cost. Within Microchip's portfolio, the PIC32MX1xx/2xx sub-family balances peripheral integration with small 28-44 pin packages, while the PIC32MM/MZ sub-families target ultra-low-power or high-performance designs respectively.
Key features include 23 general-purpose I/O pins (per datasheet), 0.5 mA/MHz typical core current consumption, on-chip temperature sensor, RTCC for real-time clock with backup, Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible peripheral-to-pin routing, and 1.5 Msps 10-bit ADC with up to 28 analog inputs. The device supports mTouch capacitive-touch sensing via the CTMU, providing 1 ns resolution time measurement for sliders and buttons. USB 2.0 full-speed OTG, UART, SPI, I2C, and PMP give a broad connectivity surface for graphics and audio subsystems.
Architecturally, the PIC32MX250F128C implements a 5-stage MIPS32 M4K pipeline with single-cycle multiply and hardware divide. The 50 MHz core couples to dedicated DMA channels that move data between peripherals and memory without CPU intervention, freeing the core for application logic and accelerating audio/USB throughput. The 36-pin VTLA package reduces PCB area versus 44-pin TQFP alternatives.
Typical applications include USB-audio interfaces, low-cost HMI panels using PMP-driven LCDs, capacitive-touch control panels, audio DAC/ADC front ends with I2S, and industrial control nodes requiring RTCC-based timekeeping. The wide 2.3V-3.6V supply range supports single-cell Li-ion systems. Design considerations: place the 36 VTLA pins on a 5x5 mm PCB footprint, observe Microchip's decoupling guidance with bulk and 0.1 µF ceramics near VDD pins, and use ICSP with PGECx/PGEDx pairs for programming.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX250F128C-50I/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 PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, Operating Temperature, Package, Timers.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX250F128CT-50I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.61 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX250F128C-50I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX250F128C-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.41 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit RISC |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 50 MHz (83 DMIPS) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 128 KB (128K x 8) |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 23 |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 28 analog inputs |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host/OTG |
| Serial Interfaces | 2x I2S, 2x SPI, 2x I2C, 2x UART, PMP |
| DMA Channels | Yes (dedicated) |
| PPS (Peripheral Pin Select) | Yes |
| CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) | Yes |
| RTCC (Real-Time Clock/Calendar) | Yes |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Package | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Core Current Consumption | 0.5 mA/MHz (typical) |
| On-Chip Temperature Sensor | Yes |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RP3/RD7 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 7 |
| Pin 2 | RP4/RD8 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 8 |
| Pin 3 | RP5/RD9 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 9 |
| Pin 4 | RP6/RD10 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 10 |
| Pin 5 | RP7/RD11 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 11 |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 8 | RP8/RD0 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 0 |
| Pin 9 | RP9/RD1 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 1 |
| Pin 10 | RP10/RD2 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 2 |
| Pin 11 | RP11/RD3 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 3 |
| Pin 12 | RP12/RD4 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 4 |
| Pin 13 | RP13/RD5 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 5 |
| Pin 14 | RP14/RD6 — Remappable peripheral pin / port D bit 6 |
| Pin 15 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 16 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 17 | RB0 — Port B bit 0 |
| Pin 18 | RB1 — Port B bit 1 |
| Pin 19 | RB2 — Port B bit 2 |
| Pin 20 | RB3 — Port B bit 3 |
| Pin 21 | RB4 — Port B bit 4 |
| Pin 22 | RB5 — Port B bit 5 |
| Pin 23 | RB6 — Port B bit 6 |
| Pin 24 | RB7 — Port B bit 7 |
| Pin 25 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 26 | VDD — Positive supply voltage |
| Pin 27 | RA0 — Port A bit 0 |
| Pin 28 | RA1 — Port A bit 1 |
| Pin 29 | RA2 — Port A bit 2 |
| Pin 30 | RA3 — Port A bit 3 |
| Pin 31 | RA4 — Port A bit 4 |
| Pin 32 | RA5 — Port A bit 5 |
| Pin 33 | RA6 — Port A bit 6 |
| Pin 34 | RA7 — Port A bit 7 |
| Pin 35 | RC0 — Port C bit 0 |
| Pin 36 | RC1 — Port C bit 1 |
Typical Applications
PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL is suitable for 6 applications: USB Audio Interface, Capacitive Touch HMI Panel, Industrial Control Node with RTCC, Low-Cost Graphics LCD Panel, Portable Battery-Powered Device, Educational Embedded Platform.
USB Audio Interface
The PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL integrates USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host/OTG and two I2S modules, making it ideal for USB-to-I2S audio bridges. The 50 MHz MIPS32 core streams 16-bit/48 kHz stereo audio (1.5 Mbit/s) while the 32 KB SRAM buffers USB packets. The 10-bit ADC can drive line-level inputs. Design tip: use Peripheral Pin Select to route D+/D- to convenient pins.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI Panel
The PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL's integrated CTMU provides 1 ns resolution charge-time measurement for mTouch capacitive buttons, sliders, and wheels. The 50 MHz core handles firmware-based touch scanning while the 32 KB SRAM holds calibration tables. The CTMU allows discrete or routed sensor designs without an external touch IC, shrinking the BOM for kitchen appliances and consumer controls.
Recommended
Industrial Control Node with RTCC
The PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL's on-chip RTCC with backup-domain support provides timekeeping across power cycles, while UART/SPI/I2C connect to sensors and actuators. The 2.3V-3.6V range and -40 to +85 C industrial temperature span harsh environments. PMP can drive a small graphical LCD for local status, and DMA offloads sensor I/O for predictable real-time control.
Recommended
Low-Cost Graphics LCD Panel
The PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL's Parallel Master Port (PMP) drives QVGA TFT or monochrome LCD panels directly, while PPS simplifies PCB routing. The 50 MHz core is sufficient for frame-buffer updates on small QVGA displays, and DMA moves pixel data from Flash to PMP with minimal CPU load. This makes the device an inexpensive alternative to higher-pin PIC32MX parts.
Recommended
Portable Battery-Powered Device
The PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL operates from 2.3V-3.6V, suiting single-cell Li-ion packs, and consumes 0.5 mA/MHz typical. Sleep currents drop below typical Microchip PIC32MX sleep-mode ranges, supported by RTCC and peripheral wake-up. The small 36-VTLA 5x5 mm footprint enables slim handheld form factors such as wireless sensors and battery-powered IoT nodes.
Recommended
Educational Embedded Platform
The PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL combines a MIPS32 core, USB, and rich peripherals at low cost - well-suited to microcontroller coursework. The MPLAB X IDE, MPLAB Harmony framework, and the Microchip PIC32 ecosystem support the part, and the 36-VTLA fits breadboard-friendly breakout boards. The 50 MHz performance runs RTOS demos, USB stacks, and graphics without difficulty.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX250F128C-50I/TL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX250F128CT-50I/TL | PIC32MX250F128C-50I/PT | PIC32MX250F128C-I/TL | PIC32MX230F128H-50I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) - same | 36-VTLA - same | 36-VTLA (5x5 mm) - same | 64-TQFP - different |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| CPU Speed | 50 MHz / 83 DMIPS | 50 MHz / 83 DMIPS | 50 MHz / 83 DMIPS | 40 MHz | 50 MHz / 83 DMIPS |
| Flash | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB | 128 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB |
| USB | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG |
| I2S / SPI | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 3.6V | 2.3V to 3.6V |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG (vs PIC32MX150F128C-50I/TL)
- 83 DMIPS performance at 50 MHz (vs PIC32MX250F128C-I/TL)
- mTouch CTMU capacitive-touch hardware (vs Generic 32-bit MCU without CTMU)
Design Notes
The 36-pin VTLA package exposes an exposed thermal/ground pad underneath - per Microchip layout guidance, this pad must be soldered to a ground pour. Place a 0.1 µF decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of every VDD pin and a 4.7 µF bulk capacitor near the supply entry. Route ICSP lines (PGECx/PGEDx) as short, matched traces to keep in-circuit programming reliable.
Core current consumption is 0.5 mA/MHz typical at 3.3V. Estimated: at 50 MHz full active, core current is approximately 25 mA; add 5-10 mA for USB + I/O and you can budget 35 mA continuous. Use a 3.3V LDO rated >= 100 mA headroom. Decouple VUSB separately to meet USB 2.0 full-speed edge-monotonic requirements.
USB requires the internal 48 MHz USB clock to be derived from a crystal or appropriate oscillator source - internal FRC drift can fail USB compliance. PPS mapping must be unlocked before configuration; an incorrectly-locked PPS pin becomes unusable until the next POR. When migrating from PIC32MX150 to PIC32MX250, verify USB peripheral is enabled on the pin you intend, as '150' lacks USB OTG entirely.
Route USB D+/D- as a 90-ohm differential pair (per USB 2.0 FS spec). Keep the pair length-matched within 150 mils. Place the 15 kohm pull-down on D- and 1.5 kohm pull-up on D+ only when needed for device enumeration. Avoid routing the pair near high-speed digital lines to prevent common-mode noise coupling.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Microchip product page; halogen-free status not explicitly stated in the provided verified data, marked unknown.