Microchip Technology has released a new family of Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) called dsPIC33A. These controllers are designed for time-constrained systems that need fast and precise control. The DSCs are built with a 32-bit architecture with a double-precision floating-point unit (DP FPU) and a DSP engine for quickly handling math and data. The dsPIC33A DSCs also have improved safety and security features. All these features make this useful for many applications including motor control, power supply management, and sensor interfacing.

The dsPIC33A series is built around a 32-bit CPU architecture operating at 200 MHz, including a Double-Precision Floating-Point Unit (DP FPU) and DSP instructions for added computational capabilities. This architecture delivers high-performance and precise real-time control, which means it is useful for applications that require numerically intensive calculations in closed-loop control algorithms. The DSCs also include high-resolution PWMs for motor control and digital power conversion, for sectors like automotive and industrial applications. Integrated analog peripherals, including 12-bit ADCs with up to 40 Msps conversion rates, along with high-speed comparators and operational amplifiers, and more. Additionally, the DSC also features CoreIndependentPeripherals (CIPs) which help in multi-tasking by enabling peripheral interactions without CPU. The DSC also has top-notch security features like Flash security, and the ISA simplifies code generation from model-based designs. The initial dsPIC33AK128MC1xx family offers 128 KB Flash and diverse peripherals in various packages.

Microchip dsPIC33A Series, dsPIC33AK128MC106 Specification

• High-Performance dsPIC33A DSP/CISC CPU:
  • 32-bit Comprehensive Instruction Set
  • 32-bit Wide Data Paths
  • Single and Double Precision Floating-Point Unit (FPU)
  • 2 Kbyte Instruction Cache
  • Sixteen 32-bit Working Registers
• Memory Features:
  • Up to 128 Kbytes of Program Flash Memory
  • Up to 16 Kbytes of RAM Memory
• Controller Features:
  • High-Current Sink/Source Capable I/Os
  • Programmable Weak Pull-Up and Pull-Down Resistors
  • Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) Remappable Pins
  • Multiple Interrupt Vectors with Programmable Priority
• High-Speed PWM:
  • Four PWM Generators (Eight Outputs)
  • Up to 2.5 ns PWM Resolution
  • Dead Time for Rising and Falling Edges
• Two High-Speed Analog-to-Digital Converters:
  • 12-bit Resolution
  • Up to 40 Msps Conversion Rate
  • Up to 22 Analog Input Pins
• Other Analog Features:
  • Three Analog Comparators with 12-bit DACs
  • Three Rail-to-Rail 100 MHz Operational Amplifiers
• Peripheral Features:
  • Three 4-Wire SPI Modules
  • Two I2C Modules
  • Three Protocol UARTs
  • One Dedicated 32-bit Timer/Counter
  • Quadrature Encoder Interface (QEI)
• Security Module:
  • Secure Boot
  • Secure Debug
  • Immutable Root of Trust (IRT)
• Safety Features:
  • Windowed Watchdog Timer (WDT)
  • Deadman Timer (DMT)
  • Fail-Safe Clock Monitor (FSCM)
• Programming and Debug Interfaces:
  • Two-Wire ICSP Interface
• Operating Conditions:
  • 3.0V to 3.6V: -40°C to +85°C, DC to 200 MHz
  • 3.0V to 3.6V: -40°C to +125°C, DC to 200 MHz
  • 3.0V to 3.6V: -40°C to +150°C, DC to 200 MHz
• Targeted Applications:
  • Power Factor Correction (PFC)
  • DC/DC Converters
  • DC/AC
  • Motor Control
  • Advanced Sensor Interfacing

The above specifications are for the dsPIC33AK128MC106 DSC because this is the top-of-the-line product from Microchip. The dsPIC33A series, starting with the dsPIC33AK128MC1xx, offers up to 128KB of flash memory and a wide range of built-in peripherals. Available in packages like SSOP, VQFN, and TQFP, it supports pin counts from 28 to 64, with sizes as small as 4 x 4mm. This family is ideal for motor control in fans, pumps, and compressors, as well as digital power conversion in AI servers and electric vehicles. It’s also suitable for sensor interfacing in industrial and automotive applications, similar to how the SaraKIT carrier board uses a dsPIC33 chip with a Raspberry Pi CM4.

The dsPIC33A family is supported by the MPLABXC-DSC compiler, MPLABCodeConfigurator(MCC), and the EV74H48A Curiosity Platform development board, which features mikroBUS and Xplained Prointerfaces for extensions. The family also includes dual in-line modules (DIM) for motor control, digital power conversion, and general-purpose applications.

The company also provides a development board which is known as the EV74H48A Curiosity Platform development board for making the development process easier.

The Microchip dsPIC33A Series can be purchased for under $1 in bulk. The EV74H48A development board costs $98, and the DIM modules are $18 each.

For more buying information you need to contact Microchip or other distributors. More information about the dsPIC33A series of DSCs can be found on the product page and press release.