PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT - 32-bit MCU, 256KB Flash, USB | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.85 | $6.85 |
| 10 | $6.15 | $61.50 |
| 100 | $5.4 | $540.00 |
| 500 | $4.78 | $2,390.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.22 | $4,220.00 |
PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer containing a processor core, program memory, data memory, and integrated peripherals such as timers, communication interfaces, and analog blocks. The PIC32MX250F256L sits within the 32-bit MCU hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded controller -> SoC, and is built on the MIPS32 M4K RISC architecture, which delivers 83 DMIPS at 50 MHz - roughly 2.5x the performance of an 8-bit PIC16 or PIC18 MCU at the same clock rate, while remaining binary-instruction-compatible with the broader PIC32 ecosystem.
Key features include 256 KB Flash with live-update support, 32 KB SRAM, a 10-bit 1 Msps ADC with up to 28 input channels, two I2S modules, four SPI modules, three analog comparators, a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch, a Real-Time Clock and Calendar (RTCC), and a full-speed USB 2.0 device/host/OTG controller. The Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) feature remaps most digital peripherals to any I/O pin, simplifying PCB layout. Parallel Master Port (PMP) with dual read/write buffers enables direct connection to graphics TFT displays.
Architecturally, the M4K core uses a 5-stage pipeline with single-cycle MAC hardware for DSP-style operations, supported by a 16-bit instruction set and 32-bit data path. The dual-read PMP buffers enable zero-wait-state transfers to graphical displays up to QVGA resolution, while the CTMU allows sub-nanoampere current measurements enabling touch-sensing buttons and sliders without external analog components.
Typical applications include USB audio interfaces, capacitive touch control panels, low-cost HMI modules with TFT displays, sensor hubs with USB connectivity, and industrial control front-ends requiring up to 28 ADC channels at 1 Msps.
When designing with this MCU, allocate the 32 KB SRAM for both application code-mirror and runtime data; the 256 KB Flash supports dual-image live updates for fail-safe firmware upgrades. Decouple VDD/AVDD with 100 nF + 10 uF ceramic capacitors placed within 5 mm of the pins, and ensure the 8 MHz primary oscillator load capacitors match the crystal's CL specification to maintain USB-accurate timing.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT — 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 PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Timers, Package, SRAM, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX250F256L-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX250F256HT-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX170F512LT-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$6.4 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX270F256B-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX130F256D-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.3 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX150F256LT-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit RISC |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 50 MHz / 83 DMIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 32 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 10-bit, 1 Msps, up to 28 channels |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host/OTG |
| I2S Modules | 2 |
| SPI Modules | 4 |
| UART Modules | 4 (with IrDA and ISO 7816 support) |
| I2C Modules | 2 |
| Timers | 5 16-bit timers/counters, 5 Input Capture, 5 Output Compare |
| Package | 100-pin TQFP (12x12 mm) |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RG15 — General purpose I/O |
| Pin 2 | VDD — Power supply (2.3V-3.6V) |
| Pin 3 | RP0/RD0 — Remappable peripheral / GPIO |
| Pin 4 | RP1/RD1 — Remappable peripheral / GPIO |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 10 | PGED2/RP10/RF4 — Programming data / remappable peripheral |
| Pin 12 | PGEC2/RP8/RF6 — Programming clock / remappable peripheral |
| Pin 25 | AVDD — Analog power supply |
| Pin 26 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 33 | D+ — USB data plus (full-speed) |
| Pin 34 | D- — USB data minus (full-speed) |
| Pin 54 | VBUS — USB VBUS sensing input |
| Pin 63 | OSC1/CLKI/RC12 — Crystal oscillator input / external clock |
| Pin 64 | OSC2/CLKO/RC15 — Crystal oscillator output |
| Pin 100 | RG14 — General purpose I/O |
Typical Applications
PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: USB Audio Interface, Capacitive Touch HMI Panel, USB Sensor Hub / Data Logger, Industrial Control Front-End, Low-Cost Graphics Display Module, USB HID Custom Peripheral.
USB Audio Interface
The PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT fits USB audio interfaces because its integrated USB 2.0 full-speed device controller combined with two I2S modules enables direct connection to audio codecs such as the SGTL5000 without external interface logic. The 32 KB SRAM is sufficient to buffer 48 kHz 16-bit stereo audio at low latency, while the 256 KB Flash holds the USB Audio Class 1.0 stack alongside custom DSP routines. The M4K core's 83 DMIPS at 50 MHz provides compute headroom for sample-rate conversion and digital mixing. Designers should route USB D+/D- as a 90-ohm differential pair and place the 12 Mbps crystal within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 to meet USB signaling compliance.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch HMI Panel
The PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT is well-suited for capacitive touch HMIs thanks to its on-chip CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit), which measures sub-nanoampere current flows enabling touch buttons, sliders, and wheels without external analog components. The 28-channel 10-bit ADC scans up to 28 touch electrodes at 1 Msps, while the Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) feature remaps the ADC channels to any I/O pin to simplify PCB routing. Combined with the Parallel Master Port (PMP) for direct TFT display interfacing, the MCU drives small graphical interfaces from a single chip. Designers should guard touch traces with ground to suppress EMI and use 100 nF decoupling per VDD/AVDD pair within 5 mm of the pins.
Recommended
USB Sensor Hub / Data Logger
The PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT serves as a USB sensor hub, aggregating multiple analog and digital sensor inputs over its 28-channel ADC, four SPI buses, and two I2C interfaces, then streaming aggregated data to a host PC over USB at 12 Mbps full-speed. The 256 KB Flash accommodates USB CDC/HID stack plus sensor processing, while 32 KB SRAM buffers multi-sensor streams. The RTCC (Real-Time Clock and Calendar) with battery backup enables time-stamping of logged data even when the USB host is disconnected. For high-density data logging, a 25 MHz SPI interface to an external FRAM or SD card allows sustained throughput without burdening the M4K core.
Recommended
Industrial Control Front-End
The PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT handles industrial control front-ends requiring 4-20 mA sensor conditioning, multi-channel ADC scanning, and isolated communication. Its 28-channel 10-bit ADC at 1 Msps enables simultaneous sampling of multiple process variables, while the four UARTs with ISO 7816 support handle RS-232, RS-485, or Modbus communication. The 50 MHz M4K core implements control loops in software with deterministic execution, and the CTMU provides precise timing for resistance measurement (RTD/thermistor) and capacitance measurement. Industrial designers benefit from the -40 C to +85 C operating temperature range and the robust 100-TQFP package for harsh-environment mounting.
Recommended
Low-Cost Graphics Display Module
The PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT drives small TFT graphics displays up to QVGA (320x240) via its Parallel Master Port (PMP) with dual read/write buffers, which enables zero-wait-state transfers and frees the M4K core for GUI rendering logic. The 256 KB Flash stores frame descriptors and font tables, while 32 KB SRAM holds compressed graphics assets. Designers pair the MCU with a basic TFT controller IC over the 8-bit PMP interface, achieving 30+ fps refresh rates for status UIs. The I2S modules can additionally drive an audio DAC for multimedia display applications with synchronized sound.
Recommended
USB HID Custom Peripheral
The PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT enables USB HID-class custom peripherals - programmable keypads, jog wheels, custom game controllers, or measurement instruments - by leveraging the integrated USB 2.0 full-speed device controller and the 50 MHz M4K core's interrupt responsiveness. The 256 KB Flash fits complex HID descriptors with multi-interface compound devices, while the four UARTs and two I2C ports enable attachment of external sensor modules. The CTMU supports programmable-button capacitive sensing on a 4x4 matrix. Compared to 8-bit MCU solutions, the 32-bit M4K core executes HID report processing at 50 MHz with sub-microsecond latency, improving the user-experience responsiveness of USB peripherals.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX250F256LT-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX250F256L-I/PT | PIC32MX250F256HT-I/PT | PIC32MX170F512LT-I/PT | PIC32MX270F256B-I/PT | PIC32MX130F256D-I/PT | PIC32MX150F256LT-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same | 100-TQFP (12x12 mm) - same |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 512 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB (-50%) | 32 KB |
| USB 2.0 Support | Yes (Device/Host/OTG) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 40 MHz (-20%) | 50 MHz |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +85 C (Industrial) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C (extended) | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C |
| Ethernet | No | No | No | No | Yes (10/100 MAC) | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 full-speed with PIC32MX2xx sub-family peripherals (vs PIC32MX150F256LT-I/PT)
- Drop-in tray-packaging option for low-volume prototype runs (vs PIC32MX250F256L-I/PT)
- Extended temperature option without redesign (vs PIC32MX250F256HT-I/PT)
- 32 KB SRAM doubles the data buffer vs PIC32MX130 sub-family (vs PIC32MX130F256D-I/PT)
Design Notes
Decouple each VDD/AVDD pin with a 100 nF X7R ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the pin, supplemented by a single 10 uF bulk capacitor on the main VDD rail. The MCU's 2.3 V to 3.6 V operating voltage range requires a stable LDO or switching regulator with low ripple (< 50 mVpp) to avoid coupling into the analog ADC measurements. The VBUS pin on USB-enabled designs must connect to a 5 V input through a voltage divider for sensing, and the internal USB transceiver draws up to 25 mA in active USB traffic.
Route USB D+/D- as a 90-ohm differential pair on the top layer with continuous ground reference underneath, matching trace lengths within 150 mil. Place the 12 MHz USB crystal and its load capacitors (typically 22 pF for a 12 pF CL crystal) within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 pins, and guard the crystal traces with a ground pour to suppress EMI. The 100-TQFP 12x12 mm package has 0.4 mm pin pitch - use 0.15 mm trace/space design rules with 0.25 mm via-in-pad recommended for inner-layer escape.
At 50 MHz with all peripherals active, the PIC32MX250F256L draws approximately 65 mA from VDD, dissipating up to 234 mW. The 100-TQFP package has theta_JA of approximately 40 C/W, yielding a junction temperature rise of about 9.4 C above ambient at full load. Estimated: at +85 C ambient industrial operation, junction temperature stays well below the +125 C maximum. For continuous full-CPU loading in enclosed housings with poor airflow, consider reducing CPU clock to 40 MHz or adding thermal copper pours around the package.
The Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) feature allows remapping of most digital peripherals to any I/O pin, but each I/O can only host one peripheral function at a time - consult the datasheet's PPS input/output mapping tables before PCB layout. For SPI interfaces above 25 MHz, place 33 ohm series resistors near the source pin to dampen reflections on long traces. The 28-channel ADC achieves 1 Msps with proper source impedance below 5 kohm; higher impedances require an external op-amp buffer to maintain 10-bit accuracy.
Do not forget to configure the JTAG/Trace Port Disable (JTAGEN) fuse via ICSP if not using JTAG debugging - JTAG-enabled pins default to JTAG mode and can interfere with GPIO. The CTMU requires explicit calibration via the CTMUCON register before use, and uncalibrated CTMU measurements can show 20-30% error. When migrating from PIC32MX150 to PIC32MX250 in 100-TQFP, verify USB-related fuses are configured; the PIC32MX150 lacks USB and a blank-checked chip will not enumerate.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliance confirmed per Microchip product page and DigiKey listing. Standard industrial temperature grade (-40 C to +85 C); for AEC-Q100 automotive qualification, see PIC32MX250F256HT-E/PT variants.
