Extending its family of digital signal controllers (DSCs), Microchip Technology Inc. has unveiled its dsPIC33A Core family of DSCs, which feature a 32-bit CPU architecture with a double-precision floating-point unit (DP-FPU) and DSP engine for faster computation in time-critical embedded system applications. These new DSCs were developed to simplify complex controls for advanced sensing and safety-critical applications, including automotive, industrial, consumer, e-mobility, data center and renewable energy.
(Source: Microchip Technology Inc.)
Microchip calls the dsPIC33A DSCs a game-changer thanks to their high-performance and high-precision real-time control and advanced features to “push the boundaries of embedded system performance.”
These dsPIC33A DSCs are designed to help engineers who are developing computationally intensive embedded control algorithms to deliver higher operational efficiency in motor control, power supply, charging and sensing systems. The DSCs are enhanced with improved math and data processing, higher code efficiency, faster context switching and reduced latency.
The lower latency allows for a faster response time to transient and safety-critical events, Microchip said.
The DSCs also include new and upgraded peripherals, such as high-resolution PWMs specifically engineered for motor control and digital power conversions. Integrated analog peripherals include 12-bit ADCs capable of conversion rates of up to 40 million samples per second, high-speed comparators and operational amplifiers. These analog peripherals, in conjunction with Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs), allow for higher-performance sensing and control. The CIPs also enable the interaction between peripherals without requiring the CPU, which reserves the CPU bandwidth for software stacks, functional safety diagnostics and security functions.
Other key features include Flash security capabilities, including an immutable root of trust, secure debugging and restricted memory access. The DSCs’ instruction set architecture (ISA) enables the adoption of software code generated by model-based designs to simplify code generation, Microchip said.
Built on a 32-bit architecture with a 200-MHz operating speed, the dsPIC33A family’s advanced core includes a DP-FPU and DSP instructions for numerically intensive tasks in many closed-loop control algorithms, Microchip said. They are suited for applications that need efficient motor control for fans, pumps and compressors. They also manage digital power conversion for applications like AI servers and on-board chargers in electric vehicles and enable sensor interfacing for industrial and automotive applications.
This first family of dsPIC33AK128MC1xx DSCs also includes 128-KB Flash and an extensive peripheral set. They are available in a variety of packages, including SSOP, VQFN and TQFP options ranging from 28 to 64 pins, with package dimensions as small as at 4 × 4 mm. Future dsPIC33A families will include additional memory, peripherals and larger pin counts.
Like all of Microchip’s processor families, the dsPIC33A comes with full development tool support. These include the MPLAB XC-DSC Compiler, MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) and the dsPIC33A Curiosity development board (EV74H48A). The EV74H48A supports feature expansion by providing mikroBUS and Xplained Pro interfaces that enable connection to Built-in Self Text Xplained Pro (BIST XPRO) extension kits, sensors and various Click boards. Separate dual In-line modules support development for motor control, digital power conversion and general-purpose embedded applications.
Pricing for the dsPIC33A devices starts at less than $1 each in high volumes. For more information or to purchase visit www.microchipdirect.com.
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