Microchip launches new dual-core and single-core dsPIC® digital signal controller (DSC) families to help create bigger and more powerful applications

As the development of high-end embedded control applications becomes more complex, system developers need more flexible options to provide system scalability. To this end, Microchip Technology Inc. today announced the launch of new dual-core and single-core dsPIC33C digital signal controllers (DSC) that can meet changing application needs and provide improved performance in terms of memory, operating temperature and functional safety. More choices.

Microchip's new dsPIC33CH512MP508 dual-core DSC supports applications with larger program memory requirements. The dsPIC33CK64MP105 single-core DSC provides a low-cost option for applications requiring smaller memory and size. Developers can easily switch between these new devices because the dsPIC33CH and dsPIC33CK families are fully pin-compatible.

The dsPIC33CH512MP508 (MP5) series expands the recently launched dsPIC33CH by increasing the memory from 128 KB to 512 KB and tripling the program RAM (random access memory) storage capacity from 24 KB to 72 KB. The expanded devices support larger applications that require multiple software stacks or larger program memory, such as automotive and wireless charging applications. Automotive applications require more memory to support AUTOSAR software, MCAL drivers and CAN FD peripherals. Wireless charging functions in automotive applications require additional software protocol stacks to support Qi protocol and near field communication (NFC), which in turn requires more program storage space. Real-time firmware updates using the Live Update feature are critical for high-availability systems, but also double the overall memory requirements. In a dual-core device, one core can be designed as the master core and the other as a slave core. The slave core is used to execute time-sensitive specialized control code, while the master core is used to run functions such as user interface, system monitoring and communications. For example, dual cores help partition the software protocol stack for parallel execution of the Qi protocol and other functions, including NFC, to optimize the performance of in-vehicle wireless charging applications.

The dsPIC33CK64MP105 (MP1) series is an expansion of the recently launched dsPIC33CK series, with low-cost models suitable for smaller memory and package applications and available in up to 64 KB of Flash memory and 28 to 48-pin packages, with a minimum package size of 4 mm x 4 mm. This compact device provides an ideal combination of features for automotive sensors, motor control, high-density DC-DC applications or stand-alone Qi transmitters. Single-core and dual-core dsPIC33C devices deliver fast deterministic performance for time-sensitive control applications by extending context select registers, reducing interrupt latency and accelerating instruction execution for math-intensive algorithms.

“With 76 dsPIC33C single-core and dual-core devices in this family, customers can take advantage of common tools, common peripherals, and Package compatibility makes adjustments easier. In addition, dual-core devices enable easier software integration for individual software development teams, allowing them to focus on control algorithms without being distracted by communications and day-to-day code."

All devices in the dsPIC33C family include a complete set of functional safety hardware to simplify ASIL-B and ASIL-C certification in safety-critical applications. Functional safety features include multiple redundant clock sources, Fault Safe Clock Monitor (FSCM), IO port readback, Flash Error Correcting Code (ECC), RAM built-in self-test (BIST), write protection, analog peripheral redundancy wait. With a powerful set of CAN-FD peripherals and added support for high-temperature operation up to 150°C, these devices are ideally suited for applications in extreme environments such as automotive bonnets (hoods).

development support

The dsPIC33C family is supported by Microchip’s MPLAB® development ecosystem, including Microchip’s free downloadable MPLAB Microchip's motorBench™ 2.0 development kit now supports high-voltage motors up to 600V, helping customers tune their motors through field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms.

The entire series of devices has various development boards and plug-in modules (PIM). The development tools for the new devices include dsPIC33CH Curiosity development board (DM330028-2), dsPIC33CH512MP508 PIM (MA330046) for general design, dsPIC33CH512MP508 PIM (MA330045) for motor control, dsPIC33CK64MP105 PIM (MA330047) for general design, dsPIC33CK64MP105 PIM (MA330050-1) for external op amp motor control and dsPIC33CK64MP105 (MA330050-2) for internal op amp motor control.