PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT - 256KB Flash 32-bit MCU 100-TQFP | Microchip
MPN: PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.12 | $6.12 |
| 10 | $5.48 | $54.80 |
| 100 | $4.85 | $485.00 |
| 500 | $4.21 | $2,105.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.78 | $3,780.00 |
PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), working memory (SRAM), and a rich set of peripherals on one die. The PIC32MX5xx family sits in the hierarchy MIPS32 -> M4K core -> PIC32 -> 32-bit microcontroller -> embedded MCU, designed to balance deterministic real-time control with the throughput required by audio decoding, USB stacks, and small graphical displays.
Key features include 256 KB Flash (256K x 8), 32 KB SRAM, Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) for flexible I/O mapping, an RTCC with calendar mode, a Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) for capacitive touch sensing, and a wide operating voltage of 2.5 V to 3.6 V. Industrial temperature range is -40C to +85C, matching the I/PT suffix.
The architecture combines a Harvard-style M4K core with a 5-stage pipeline and hardware multiply/divide, plus a dedicated DMA controller and a 16-channel hardware crypto-free RTCC. PPS remaps most digital peripherals to nearly any I/O pin, which simplifies PCB routing when migrating between PIC32MX5xx variants and speeds up BOM consolidation.
Typical applications include USB audio peripherals, CAN-connected industrial nodes, low-cost HMI panels with PMP-driven TFT displays, capacitive touch user interfaces using CTMU, and small embedded graphics controllers. The combination of two I2S ports and USB makes the part a natural fit for USB-DAC dongles and USB-to-S/PDIF bridges.
When designing with this device, allocate at least 4.7 uF bulk + 0.1 uF bypass capacitors on VDD/AVDD and provide a 32.768 kHz crystal or external reference for the RTCC. Pay attention to PPS remapping in code: each peripheral function must be unlocked in the device configuration to be assigned to a physical pin.
This page combines verified distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical engineering design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer datasheet, giving procurement and embedded engineers a single reference for BOM decisions.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC32MX550F256L-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 PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, ADC, Operating Temperature, DMA Channels, USB.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC32MX550F256L-50I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.96 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX550F256LT-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.16 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC32MX570F256L-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX450F256L-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX460F256L-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX450F256H-I/PT
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit |
| Core Frequency | 40 MHz (M4K standard speed grade) |
| DMIPS | 83 DMIPS at 50 MHz (M4K pipelined) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 256 KB (256K x 8) |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| Package | 100-pin TQFP (PT) 12x12 mm |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| ADC | 10-bit, 16-channel, up to 1 MSPS |
| USB | USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) Device/Host/OTG |
| CAN | CAN 2.0B |
| I2S Modules | 2 |
| SPI Modules | 4 |
| I2C Modules | 2 |
| UART Modules | Up to 6 (with PPS) |
| Parallel Master Port (PMP) | Yes, dual read/write buffers |
| Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) | Yes |
| CTMU (Capacitive Touch) | Yes |
| RTCC | Yes, with calendar mode |
| DMA Channels | 8 |
| Comparators | 2 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT 100-pin tqfp (pt) 12x12 mm Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT (100-pin tqfp (pt) 12x12 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 PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT is suitable for 6 applications: USB Audio Peripheral, CAN-Connected Industrial Node, HMI Panel with Small TFT Display, Capacitive Touch User Interface, USB Host Mass Storage Data Logger, Portable Medical Monitoring Device.
USB Audio Peripheral
The PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT is a natural fit for USB audio peripherals such as USB headphone DACs, USB microphone devices, and USB-to-S/PDIF bridges. The on-chip USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) controller handles isochronous audio streaming without external PHY glue, while the two I2S ports feed an external DAC or ADC directly at standard 44.1/48/96 kHz rates. The 32 KB SRAM is large enough for double-buffered ping-pong audio frames, and the M4K core at 40 MHz executes the USB stack plus a software audio mixer comfortably. Engineers typically pair this part with a PCM5101A or WM8804 in compact USB-DAC designs. Compared to discrete USB + DAC solutions, the integrated part cuts BOM by 5-8 components and simplifies CE/USB-IF compliance testing.
Recommended
CAN-Connected Industrial Node
For industrial CAN 2.0B nodes such as sensor concentrators, small PLCs, and motor-control periphery, the PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT pairs its integrated CAN 2.0B controller with the 32-bit MIPS M4K core and the CTMU for analog sensor readout. The 256 KB Flash hosts a full CANopen or DeviceNet stack with room left for application logic, while 32 KB SRAM buffers CAN message queues. The dedicated 8-channel DMA engine keeps the CPU free during heavy CAN traffic, and the -40C to +85C industrial temperature grade suits factory-floor deployment. Compared to 8-bit MCU solutions, the 32-bit core executes 32-bit floating-point math 10-15x faster and runs a TCP/IP-over-CAN gateway stack on the same die.
Recommended
HMI Panel with Small TFT Display
The PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT drives small TFT displays directly via its Parallel Master Port (PMP) with 8 or 16-bit data width and dual read/write buffers, eliminating the external display controller chip. PMP supports 8080 and 6800 timing, addressing common TFT controllers and direct-command-mode displays. Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) lets the design team re-route display data lines to free up PWM or UART pins for backlight dimming and touch I/O. The 256 KB Flash is enough for fonts, bitmaps, and a lightweight LVGL/PEG-style UI library. Compared to microcontroller-plus-external-display-controller solutions, this part saves approximately $1.20-$2.00 in BOM and one extra PCB layer.
Recommended
Capacitive Touch User Interface
The PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT integrates Microchip's CTMU (Charge Time Measurement Unit) which, paired with the 10-bit ADC, delivers sub-picofarad resolution capacitive touch sensing for buttons, sliders, and wheels. The CTMU charge current and time-base registers are programmable in firmware, supporting both self-capacitance and mutual-capacitance matrices without external touch ICs. The 32 KB SRAM holds up to 32 simultaneous touch state machines, and the M4K core runs the mTouch library from Microchip at low MIPS cost. Compared to discrete FDC1004 or CAP-1208 ICs, the CTMU-in-MCU approach saves approximately $1.50 BOM and two analog traces per channel.
Recommended
USB Host Mass Storage Data Logger
The PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT operates as a USB host with Mass Storage Class support, enabling standalone data loggers that write to USB flash drives without a PC. The 256 KB Flash holds a USB host stack plus FAT32/exFAT read-write logic, and 32 KB SRAM buffers 512-byte sector writes at full USB throughput. The PMP interface can stream raw data to an attached display for local monitoring, while the RTCC timestamps each log entry. Compared to USB-host-only controller chips like the MAX3421E, this part integrates the entire stack in one MCU and adds GPIO plus ADC for sensor input.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitoring Device
In low-cost portable medical peripherals such as pulse-oximeter companions, single-channel ECG leads, and spirometer-toys, the PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT provides the 32-bit throughput for DSP-style filtering plus USB connectivity for host PC integration. The 10-bit ADC at 1 MSPS captures biosignals with adequate resolution for non-clinical wellness devices, and the I2S port can connect directly to digital microphones or audio codecs. The 256 KB Flash is sufficient to embed a fixed-point DSP library for heart-rate extraction or breath-rate estimation, while 32 KB SRAM buffers streamed samples. Compared to a separate MCU plus DSP chip, this single-die solution reduces PCB area by roughly 35 percent and improves battery life through reduced chip count.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC32MX550F256L-50I/PT | PIC32MX570F256L-I/PT | PIC32MX450F256L-I/PT | PIC32MX460F256L-I/PT | PIC32MX450F256H-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | TQFP-100 (PT) 12x12 mm | TQFP-100 (PT) 12x12 mm | TQFP-100 (PT) 12x12 mm | TQFP-100 (PT) 12x12 mm | TQFP-100 (PT) 12x12 mm | TQFP-100 (PT) 12x12 mm |
| Core Architecture | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit | MIPS32 M4K 32-bit |
| Core Frequency | 40 MHz | 50 MHz (+25%) | 50 MHz (+25%) | 40 MHz (same) | 80 MHz (+100%) | 40 MHz (same) |
| Flash | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 32 KB | 64 KB (+100%) |
| USB | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG | USB 2.0 FS OTG | No USB | USB 2.0 FS OTG | No USB |
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V | 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
Key Differentiators
- Integrated USB OTG and CAN in a single 100-pin TQFP (vs PIC32MX450F256L-I/PT)
- CTMU hardware for capacitive touch without external ICs (vs PIC32MX450F256L-I/PT)
- Two I2S ports for stereo audio paths (vs PIC32MX270F512L-50I/PF (Site MPN reference))
Design Notes
Estimated: at full 40 MHz core speed, 3.3 V VDD, all peripherals enabled, the PIC32MX550F256L-I/PT typically draws 60-75 mA in active run mode. Provide at least 4.7 uF bulk + 0.1 uF ceramic bypass on every VDD pin pair (the part has multiple VDD/VSS pairs across the TQFP-100 package). Place the 0.1 uF caps within 3 mm of each VDD pin to control switching-current transients and reduce EMI.
Route the USB D+/D- pair as a 90-ohm differential trace with matched length (<50 mil mismatch) and keep them clear of switching signals. Place the 24 MHz primary crystal within 5 mm of OSC1/OSC2 with a grounded guard ring, and keep the SOSC 32.768 kHz crystal traces short and away from high-current paths to avoid RTCC drift.
Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) unlocks must be performed in the correct unlock sequence (CFGLOCK unlock) before reassigning any digital peripheral function to a GPIO. In MPLAB X with XC32, this is normally handled by pps.h library macros, but firmware engineers must avoid remapping pins used by ICSP/ICD programming (PGECx/PGEDx) or the device will lose debug access.
Do not exceed the 3.6 V absolute maximum on any pin; even brief transients above 3.9 V during hot-plug events on USB VBUS can latch-up the part. Use a USB VBUS protection TVS diode (USBLC6-2SC6) on the bus. Also remember to configure the unused analog inputs as digital outputs (not floating) to avoid shoot-through current on the analog mux.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. Halogen-free status not stated in the verified data. AEC-Q100 qualification not applicable (consumer/industrial grade part).