Microchip Technology Introduces New Digital Signal Controllers

Microchip Technology Inc. announced two new families of Digital Signal Controllers. According to the company, the dsPIC33FJ12GP family of Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) are uniquely suited for a new class of "Smart Sensor" applications. Said to be the world’s smallest DSCs (in 18- and 28-pin packages as small as 6x6 mm) and the lowest priced (starting at $1.99 each in 10,000-unit quantities), the 40 MIPS dsPIC33FJ12GP family are claimed to enable a new class of sensor processing, dubbed Smart Sensors, which can enhance sensor performance and extend product life.

Using libraries and filter design tools, digital filters can replace analog filters to reduce noise. The dsPIC33FJ12GP’s on-chip Analog-Digital-Converters (ADCs), with up to 1.1 Msps, permit signal oversampling to improve signal-to-noise ratios. Spectral analysis can be conducted adjacent to the sensor, permitting more robust application performance and a digital connection to upstream processors. Additionally, the dsPIC33FJ12GP family has sufficient performance and resources to serve as the sole processor in some Smart Sensor applications. The dsPIC33FJ12GP family also features Peripheral Pin Select, which allows designers to remap digital I/O to optimize board layout – enabling smaller boards, less noise and the use of a lower pin-count DSC.

Microchip also announced the dsPIC33FJ12MC family – the company’s lowest-priced motor control DSC family, with prices starting at $1.99 each in 10,000-unit quantities. These new 40 MIPS DSCs are said to provide an excellent platform for advanced motor control algorithms, such as Field-Oriented Control (FOC), and to enable the next level of high performance, low noise and power efficiency to motor control applications. Additionally, the dsPIC33FJ12MC family serves space-constrained motor control applications via 20- and 28-pin packages as small as 6x6mm.

Specific motor control hardware features of the dsPIC33FJ12MC family include a Motor Control PWM with two independent clock sources for advanced motor control algorithms and active power factor correction using a single DSC, and an ADC optimized for motor control applications. Together with the on-chip quadrature encoder interface, these hardware features provide a highly integrated, cost-effective motor control solution. The on-chip ADC and Motor Control PWM are also very useful for power-conversion and LED-lighting applications.

Both members of the dsPIC33FJ12MC family are available for general sampling and volume production, with prices starting at $1.99 each in 10,000-unit quantities. The dsPIC33FJ12MC201 is available in 20-pin SOIC and SDIP packages. The dsPIC33FJ12MC202 is available in 28-pin QFN, SOIC and SDIP packages.