Microchip announces 25% performance increase for dsPIC® DSCs for digital-power applications

Microchip announces a 25% performance increase for its dsPIC33F "GS" series of Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) for Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPSs). Now featuring 50 MIPS performance, the dsPIC33F "GS" series of DSCs includes on-chip peripherals for digital-power applications, such as an Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC), Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) peripheral and analogue comparators. The performance increase will allow designers to achieve higher efficiencies in power-supply applications and to fully control their products using a single dsPIC33F "GS" DSC at a lower system cost and with more features. The dsPIC33F "GS" family supports applications such as induction cooking, Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPSs), inverters, intelligent battery chargers, power factor correction, HID lighting, fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, and AC-to-DC, as well as DC-to-DC power-conversion applications. The dsPIC33F "GS" DSCs are available in 28- to 100-pin packages, with 16 - 64K of Flash. The on-chip ADC operates at up to 4 Msps, and the PWM peripherals provide up to 1 nanosecond resolution, with modes supporting all power-conversion topologies. In addition, the DSCs feature up to four on-chip analogue comparators with integrated on-chip digital-to-analogue converters, enabling designers to set trip levels dynamically. The analogue comparators can be used to directly control the PWM functions. As the new dsPIC33F "GS" DSCs are 100% compatible with existing dsPIC33F "GS" devices, all existing tools and reference designs are supported. This includes Microchip's Digital LED Lighting Development Kit (DM330014) priced at $249; Buck/Boost Converter PICtail™ Plus Daughter Board (AC164133) priced at $89.99; and 16-bit 28-pin Starter Board (DM300027) priced at $79.99. In addition, Microchip offers the most comprehensive set of royalty-free digital-power reference designs in the industry, including those for AC-to-DC power supplies, DC-to-DC converters, solar inverters, UPSs, Interleaved PFC, and HID lighting. The dsPIC33F "GS" DSCs are available today for sampling and volume production in 28- to 100-pin QFN, SOIC, SPDIP, TQFP and VTLA packages. For further information visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/get/JVX4