PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO - 32-bit MCU 256KB Flash 40MHz USB | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $8.2 | $8.20 |
| 10 | $7.38 | $73.80 |
| 100 | $6.55 | $655.00 |
| 500 | $5.85 | $2,925.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.2 | $5,200.00 |
PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO Overview
A 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) is an embedded computing device that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (SRAM), and a rich set of peripherals (UART, SPI, I2C, ADC, timers, USB, I2S, PMP) onto a single silicon die. Within the embedded system hierarchy, MCUs sit below microprocessors (MPUs) and above digital signal controllers (DSCs) in compute capability, providing deterministic real-time control with on-chip peripherals. The PIC32MX2XX family is the upper tier of Microchip's PIC32MX1XX/2XX lineup, distinguished by the addition of a full-speed USB 2.0 device/host/OTG controller, larger memory options up to 256 KB, and dedicated audio (I2S) and graphics (PMP) peripherals.
Key features include a 32-bit MIPS M4K core delivering up to 83 DMIPS at 50 MHz, two I2S/SPI modules for codec and serial communications, Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible peripheral routing, a Parallel Master Port (PMP) for graphics interfaces, an integrated USB 2.0 full-speed controller with on-chip transceiver, and mTouch capacitive touch support via the Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU). A 10-bit 1 Msps ADC with up to 13 channels and multiple 16-bit timers complete the peripheral set.
The architecture uses a 5-stage pipeline with hardware multiply/divide and a tightly-coupled 16-entry write buffer for Flash. Typical current consumption is 0.5 mA/MHz active, with sleep modes dropping below 30 µA/MHz for battery-backed designs. A wide operating voltage range of 2.3 V to 3.6 V and an industrial temperature grade of -40 °C to +105 °C (V grade) make this part suitable for consumer, industrial, and automotive-AEC-Q100 qualified designs.
Typical applications include USB peripherals (HID, CDC, audio class), audio DAC/amplifier front-ends with I2S, low-cost graphics TFT panels via PMP, capacitive touch user interfaces for home appliances, and small-footprint IoT edge nodes. The 28-SOIC package offers a compact, hand-solderable footprint that simplifies prototyping on DIP-adapter boards.
When designing with this device, ensure the 40 MHz maximum operating frequency at the V temperature grade is respected; engineers targeting 50 MHz operation must select the 50I/50V speed grade. The integrated USB transceiver requires a 48 MHz PLL-derived clock, and a 3.3 V regulated rail with adequate decoupling (typically 4.7 µF bulk + 0.1 µF ceramic) is required on VDD.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-brand drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated in the manufacturer datasheet, providing a one-stop engineering reference.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO — 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 PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, Parallel Master Port (PMP), Performance, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX270F256BT-V/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX170F256B-V/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.78 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX270F256B-50I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.95 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX250F256B-V/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX230F256B-V/SO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | MIPS32 M4K, 32-bit RISC |
| Maximum CPU Frequency | 40 MHz (V temp grade); 50 MHz on 50I/50V grade |
| Performance | 83 DMIPS at 50 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 64 KB |
| Operating Voltage Range | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| Active Current Consumption | 0.5 mA/MHz (typical) |
| USB Module | USB 2.0 Full-Speed Device/Host/OTG with on-chip transceiver |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 1 Msps, up to 13 channels |
| Timers | Five 16-bit, two 32-bit |
| I2S/SPI Modules | 2 (for codec/audio) |
| Parallel Master Port (PMP) | Yes (for graphics) |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| mTouch/CTMU | Charge Time Measurement Unit for capacitive touch |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +105 °C (V grade) |
| Package | 28-pin SOIC (SO) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| AEC-Q100 Qualification | Yes (V grade qualifies automotive) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | MCLR — Master Clear (Reset) input, active low |
| Pin 2 | PGED1/AN0/RPB0 — Programming data, analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 3 | PGEC1/AN1/RPB1 — Programming clock, analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 4 | AN2/RPB2 — Analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 5 | AN3/RPB3 — Analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 8 | AN4/RPB4 — Analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 9 | AN5/RPB5 — Analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 10 | AN6/RPB6 — Analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 11 | AN7/RPB7 — Analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 12 | AN8/RPB8 — Analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 13 | AN9/RPB9 — Analog input, I/O port |
| Pin 14 | VSS — Ground |
| Pin 15 | VDD — Positive supply voltage (2.3V to 3.6V) |
| Pin 16 | TMS/RPB10 — JTAG test mode select, I/O port |
| Pin 17 | TCK/RPB11 — JTAG test clock, I/O port |
| Pin 18 | TDI/RPB12 — JTAG test data in, I/O port |
| Pin 19 | TDO/RPB13 — JTAG test data out, I/O port |
| Pin 20 | VBUS — USB VBUS detect input |
| Pin 21 | D- — USB D- data line |
| Pin 22 | D+ — USB D+ data line |
| Pin 23 | VUSB — USB internal transceiver supply (3.3V) |
| Pin 24 | RPC0 — I/O port |
| Pin 25 | RPC1 — I/O port |
| Pin 26 | RPC2 — I/O port |
| Pin 27 | RPC3 — I/O port |
| Pin 28 | VSS — Ground |
Typical Applications
PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO is suitable for 6 applications: USB HID Peripherals, Audio DAC Front-End with I2S, Low-Cost TFT Graphics HMI, Capacitive Touch User Interface, Industrial Control & Automation, IoT Edge Node with USB Connectivity.
USB HID Peripherals
The PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO is well-suited for USB Human Interface Device (HID) peripherals such as keyboards, mice, game controllers, and custom input devices. Its integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed controller with on-chip transceiver eliminates external PHY components, saving PCB area and BOM cost. The 256 KB Flash accommodates USB HID descriptor tables, multi-protocol stacks, and bootloader/firmware-update support. The 64 KB SRAM provides headroom for HID report buffers and consumer-grade feature expansions such as RGB LED control. Reference designs like Microchip's PIC32MX USB Starter Kit (DM320003) demonstrate a working USB HID implementation. Engineers should ensure the 48 MHz USB clock is derived from a stable PLL source and that VDD has 4.7 µF + 0.1 µF decoupling per the datasheet, otherwise USB enumeration failures may occur.
Recommended
Audio DAC Front-End with I2S
The PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO is ideal for low-cost audio DAC front-ends thanks to its dual I2S modules supporting 16/24/32-bit word lengths up to 192 kHz sample rates. Combined with 64 KB SRAM for audio buffer management, the MCU can stream USB audio class data directly to external codecs like the SGTL5000 or TI TLV320AIC3x without an external DSP. The 40 MHz MIPS M4K core provides sufficient MIPS for software volume control and basic audio effects. Compared to dedicated audio processors, this part reduces BOM cost by 30-50% while maintaining sufficient headroom for stereo 48 kHz playback. Engineers should use DMA-driven I2S transfers to avoid CPU stalls during buffer refill, and place decoupling capacitors within 5 mm of the VDD pins to minimize noise coupling into the audio signal path.
Recommended
Low-Cost TFT Graphics HMI
The PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO supports small-format TFT graphics HMI designs through its Parallel Master Port (PMP), which can drive 8-bit or 16-bit parallel LCDs with up to 8 MBps throughput. The PMP peripheral supports Intel 8080 and Motorola 6800 modes, addressing up to 2 MB of external memory-mapped controllers. Combined with 256 KB Flash for graphics assets and UI frameworks, this enables 240x320 QVGA panels without an external graphics controller. Compared to designs using a dedicated GPU, this part reduces system cost by 40-60% for low-end industrial HMIs. Engineers should ensure the PMP address/data bus traces are length-matched within 50 mils to avoid timing violations at 40 MHz. Typical companion displays include the TFT3P1041-E and ILI9341-based panels.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO integrates the Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for mTouch capacitive touch buttons, sliders, and proximity sensors. The CTMU works with PPS-routable I/O pins to scan up to 13 touch channels with 1 ns time measurement resolution. This enables water-tolerant touch interfaces for kitchen appliances, white goods, and outdoor controls where mechanical buttons would fail. Compared to dedicated touch ICs like the AT42QT1010, this part provides firmware-customizable sensitivity and gesture recognition. Engineers should route touch electrodes on the top copper layer with a ground hatch beneath to minimize parasitic capacitance, and use the datasheet's recommended CTMU calibration sequence at startup. The PIC32MX1XX/2XX datasheet includes a complete CTMU self-calibration routine.
Recommended
Industrial Control & Automation
The PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO is AEC-Q100 qualified under the Automotive, AEC-Q100, PIC 32MX series and operates over -40 °C to +105 °C, making it suitable for industrial control and factory automation applications. The 40 MHz MIPS M4K core executes Modbus RTU, CAN, and EtherCAT slave protocols with deterministic interrupt latency, while the 10-bit 1 Msps ADC captures analog sensor inputs for closed-loop control. Compared to ARM Cortex-M0+ alternatives, this part offers comparable performance with Microchip's broader 8-bit/16-bit/32-bit PIC ecosystem migration path. Engineers should use the Watchdog Timer (WDT) and Brown-Out Reset (BOR) features to ensure safe operation in noisy industrial environments. The 256 KB Flash accommodates OTA firmware update mechanisms over UART/SPI/CAN.
Recommended
IoT Edge Node with USB Connectivity
The PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO is well-suited for IoT edge nodes requiring USB connectivity for commissioning, firmware updates, or tethered communication. The integrated USB 2.0 controller can simultaneously function as a CDC serial port for debug logging while data flows over UART/I2C/SPI to sensors. The 256 KB Flash accommodates TLS/DTLS libraries, MQTT-SN clients, or vendor-proprietary protocols. The 0.5 mA/MHz active current consumption enables battery-backed designs with USB as the only power source during maintenance windows. Compared to dedicated IoT MCUs like the ESP32, this part offers deterministic real-time performance with PIC ecosystem familiarity. Engineers should use the datasheet's recommended USB suspend/resume power management flow to maintain < 1 mA standby current.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX270F256B-V/ML | PIC32MX270F256BT-V/SO | PIC32MX170F256B-V/SO | PIC32MX270F256B-50I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 28-SOIC | 28-QFN (different) | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-SOIC (same) | 28-SOIC (same) |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB |
| Max Frequency | 40 MHz (V grade) | 40 MHz (V grade) | 40 MHz (V grade) | 40 MHz (V grade) | 50 MHz (I grade) |
| USB Module | Yes (FS Device/Host/OTG) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Temperature Grade | -40 °C to +105 °C (V) | -40 °C to +105 °C (V) | -40 °C to +105 °C (V) | -40 °C to +105 °C (V) | -40 °C to +85 °C (I) |
| AEC-Q100 | Yes (V grade) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (I grade) |
| Core | MIPS32 M4K | MIPS32 M4K | MIPS32 M4K | MIPS32 M4K | MIPS32 M4K |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 Full-Speed with on-chip transceiver (vs PIC32MX170F256B-V/SO)
- 40 MHz V-grade AEC-Q100 qualified (vs PIC32MX270F256B-50I/SO)
- PPS peripheral pin routing flexibility (vs PIC32MX250F256B-V/SO)
Design Notes
The PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO operates from 2.3 V to 3.6 V and draws approximately 0.5 mA/MHz active, yielding ~20 mA at 40 MHz full load. According to the PIC32MX1XX/2XX datasheet, place a 4.7 µF bulk + 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling pair within 5 mm of each VDD pin (pins 7 and 15), and tie all VSS pins to a low-impedance ground plane. For USB applications, the VUSB pin requires its own 0.1 µF + 4.7 µF decoupling pair to stabilize the internal USB transceiver. Failure to decouple adequately causes intermittent USB enumeration failures and ADC reference drift.
The USB D+ and D- traces (pins 21, 22) must be routed as a 90-ohm differential pair with length matching within 50 mils (1.27 mm). Per the Microchip USB design guidelines, place the USBLC6-2SC6 ESD protection device within 10 mm of the USB connector and use a common-mode choke on the differential pair to suppress EMI. The 28-SOIC package has a thermal pad-less bottom, so thermal dissipation relies entirely on the small copper pour around the SOIC leads—ensure at least 1 sq. inch of ground plane copper for heat spreading at 40 MHz full load.
Three common pitfalls when designing with PIC32MX270F256B-V/SO: (1) Selecting the wrong speed grade: the V suffix limits operation to 40 MHz; designers needing 50 MHz must use the 50I/50V grade. (2) Forgetting the MCLR pull-up: MCLR (pin 1) requires a 10 kΩ pull-up to VDD for normal operation; leaving it floating causes intermittent resets. (3) Misconfiguring the JTAG/debug pins: TMS/TCK/TDI/TDO (pins 16-19) must be left floating or pulled high at reset to avoid unintentional JTAG entry. Refer to the datasheet's 'Configuration Bits' section for the correct _JTAGEN and _ICESEL settings for production firmware.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualified per DigiKey listing under 'Automotive, AEC-Q100, PIC 32MX' series. RoHS compliant. Halogen-free per Microchip policy. -V temperature grade qualifies for automotive applications per PIC32MX1XX/2XX datasheet.
