PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT - 32-bit MCU 256KB Flash 64-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.45 | $5.45 |
| 10 | $4.91 | $49.10 |
| 100 | $4.36 | $436.00 |
| 500 | $3.92 | $1,960.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.48 | $3,480.00 |
PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals such as timers, communication interfaces, ADCs, and GPIO into one package. The PIC32MX family sits within the broader hierarchy: microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor device. The M4K core provides a 32-bit Harvard architecture with single-cycle multiplication, deterministic interrupts, and DSP-oriented instructions, making it well suited to embedded applications requiring higher computational throughput than 8/16-bit MCUs.
Key features include 256 KB Flash with 32 KB RAM, 16-channel 10-bit ADC at up to 1 Msps, USB 2.0 full-speed On-The-Go (OTG), two I2C, two UART, two I2S, four SPI, six 16-bit timers, five input-capture and five output-compare modules, a Real-Time Clock/Calendar (RTCC) with calendar mode, and a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch sensing. The device supports an industrial operating temperature range of -40C to +85C.
Typical applications span audio playback and processing, USB peripherals (HID, CDC, MSD, audio class), HMI panels with graphics and touch, motor control (BLDC/PMSM FOC), industrial sensing, data loggers, and home appliances. The combination of PMP for LCD control, I2S for digital audio streams, CTMU for touch keys, and USB OTG enables single-chip HMI + audio + connectivity products.
When designing with this part, allocate decoupling capacitors near each power pin pair (VDD/VSS and AVDD/AVSS), follow Microchip's recommended ICSP programming footprint, and verify PPS mappings in the Harmony/MPLAB-X configuration tool. For RTCC operation, the 32.768 kHz crystal layout must observe Microchip's oscillator guidelines.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX550F256H-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 PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, USB, Parallel Master Port (PMP), CTMU.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX550F256H-50I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX550F256HT-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX450F256H-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX470F512H-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core | MIPS32 M4K |
| Architecture | 32-bit RISC Harvard |
| Max CPU Speed | 50 MHz / 83 DMIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| Data Memory (SRAM) | 32 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Pins | 49 (approximate, package dependent) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 16-channel, 1 Msps |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed OTG |
| SPI | 4 modules |
| I2C | 2 modules |
| UART | 2 modules |
| I2S | 2 modules |
| Timers | 6 x 16-bit |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C (industrial) |
| Package | 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes |
PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT 64-pin tqfp (10x10 mm) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT (64-pin tqfp (10x10 mm) package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: USB Audio Class (UAC) Headset and Speaker Dock, HMI Panel with Graphics and Capacitive Touch, Industrial Sensor Data Logger, BLDC/PMSM Motor Controller, Smart Home Sensor Hub with USB Connectivity, Medical Point-of-Care Diagnostic Instrument.
USB Audio Class (UAC) Headset and Speaker Dock
The PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT is well suited to USB audio applications because it integrates a USB 2.0 Full-Speed On-The-Go controller and two I2S interfaces, enabling a single-chip path from USB audio stream to an external DAC/ADC. According to Microchip application note AN1422, the device supports 16/24/32-bit I2S word widths at sample rates up to 192 kHz, and the integrated USB peripheral supports isochronous endpoints required by UAC1/UAC2 class. With 32 KB of SRAM and DMA-driven I2S buffers, firmware can sustain stereo playback with <30% CPU load on the M4K core running at 50 MHz.
Recommended
HMI Panel with Graphics and Capacitive Touch
The PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT targets HMI panels thanks to its Parallel Master Port (PMP) supporting 8/16-bit data width for direct LCD connection, plus the CTMU for capacitive touch sensing. According to the Microchip PIC32MX5xx family datasheet, the PMP operates at up to 25 MHz and supports dual buffers for high-throughput frame updates to STN/CSTN panels up to QVGA. The CTMU measures capacitance with sub-pF resolution, enabling up to 32 touch buttons or a touch overlay without an external touch IC, reducing BOM cost and PCB area in industrial control panels and appliance front panels.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Data Logger
The PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT fits industrial sensor data loggers because of its 16-channel 10-bit ADC at 1 Msps, 32 KB SRAM for time-stamped sample buffering, and USB device mode for log dump to a host PC. Per Microchip AN1279, the ADC supports an automated channel-scan mode that pairs well with DMA, offloading the M4K core to let firmware sustain continuous sampling while USB MSC writes to flash media. The industrial -40C to +85C temperature range and 2.3 V to 3.6 V supply tolerance cover factory-floor deployments.
Recommended
BLDC/PMSM Motor Controller
The PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT is suitable for low-to-mid power BLDC and PMSM motor control where its 50 MHz MIPS32 M4K core delivers the throughput required for sensorless FOC algorithms at switching frequencies up to 20 kHz. According to Microchip's motorBench and AN1078 application notes, the device's six 16-bit timers and five output-compare units provide the PWM and edge-capture resources for 3-phase motor control, while the 1 Msps ADC with hardware triggering synchronizes current sampling to the PWM center. For higher-power or higher-FOC-bandwidth designs, migrate to dsPIC33EP or PIC32MK families.
Recommended
Smart Home Sensor Hub with USB Connectivity
The PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT serves as a smart-home sensor hub where its USB OTG, multiple UART/SPI ports, and 50 MHz CPU aggregate several wireless or wired sensor interfaces (Zigbee, LoRa, BLE modules, Modbus sensors) and publish data over USB to a home gateway or host PC. The 256 KB Flash accommodates OTA bootloader and application code, while 32 KB SRAM is sufficient for Modbus RTU buffering and JSON serialization. The device operates from 2.3 V to 3.6 V, making it compatible with battery-backed 3.3 V rails in home automation designs.
Recommended
Medical Point-of-Care Diagnostic Instrument
The PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT fits portable medical diagnostic instruments because it combines USB device mode for data transfer to a host analyzer, I2S for interfacing precision sensor front-ends, and a low-power Idle/Sleep mode down to 1.1 uA typical. According to the Microchip family datasheet, the CTMU can be used for fluid-level or temperature-compensation measurements in vitro diagnostic cartridges. The -40C to +85C industrial temperature range supports clinical-environment operation, while the 256 KB Flash stores calibration tables and assay-protocol firmware updates.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX550F256H-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX550F256H-50I/PT | PIC32MX550F256HT-I/PT | PIC32MX450F256H-I/PT | PIC32MX470F512H-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same | 64-TQFP (10x10 mm) - same |
| Core | MIPS32 M4K, 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K, 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K, 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K, 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K, 32-bit |
| Max CPU Speed | 50 MHz / 83 DMIPS | 50 MHz | 50 MHz | 40 MHz | 120 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 512 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 128 KB |
| USB | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG | No USB (PIC32MX450 lacks USB) | USB 2.0 FS OTG |
| I2S Modules | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 (PIC32MX450 lacks I2S) | 2 |
| Operating Voltage | 2.3 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 3.6 V | 2.3 V to 3.6 V |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB 2.0 FS OTG with internal transceiver (vs PIC32MX450F256H-I/PT)
- Two I2S interfaces for digital audio (vs PIC32MX450F256H-I/PT)
- Higher SRAM and Flash ceiling via family migration (vs PIC32MX470F512H-I/PT)
Design Notes
Place a 0.1 uF decoupling capacitor as close as possible to each VDD/VSS pair and a 10 uF bulk capacitor near the device. Per Microchip's PIC32MX hardware design checklist, an additional 0.1 uF is required near AVDD/AVSS for ADC noise rejection. A ferrite bead between digital VDD and analog AVDD is recommended for sensitive analog measurements. Brown-Out Reset (BOR) and POR must be enabled in the configuration bits to ensure deterministic startup.
For the 64-pin TQFP (10x10 mm) layout, follow Microchip's recommended land pattern with 0.5 mm pitch pads and a 1.0 mm via-in-pad allowance for ground thermal vias. Keep the USB D+/D- traces 90-ohm differential, length-matched within 150 mil, and routed over a continuous ground plane. Per Microchip AN588, the 32.768 kHz RTCC crystal should be placed within 200 mil of the SOSCO/SOSCI pins with guard traces.
Do not leave the ICSP/PGD/PGC pins floating - they require external 4.7 kohm pull-ups for reliable in-circuit programming. Disable JTAG in the configuration bits if unused, to free up RA0-RA3 for I/O. Use the PPS module (with unlock sequence OSCCONbits.IOLOCK) to remap peripherals; do not assume default mappings. For USB OTG designs, the VBUS sense pin needs a 10 kohm divider and the ID pin needs the Microchip OTG cable detect circuit.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product page. Industrial -40C to +85C temperature range; not AEC-Q100 qualified (choose automotive-grade PIC32MK if required).
