Microchip Announces 60MIPS Enhanced Core dsPIC33 Digital Signal Controller and PIC24 Microcontroller

- Features improved memory (536KB Flash) size and integration density (USB 2.0 OTG).
- Released with 9 devices, a starter kit, plug-in modules, a software library, and application notes

Microchip Technology (Country Manager for Korea: Byung-Don Han), a global specialist in microcontroller, analog, and flash IP solutions, today unveiled 60 MIPS 16-bit dsPIC® digital signal controllers (DSCs) and PIC24 microcontrollers (MCUs). Based on the next-generation dsPIC DSC/PIC24 MCU core, these 60 MIPS dsPIC33 and PIC24 "E" devices feature larger flash memory capacity (536 KB) and RAM (52 KB) than the previous generation dsPIC DSC/PIC24 MCU core, enhanced I/O capabilities, a 144-pin package, a USB 2.0 OTG interface, and extended motor control, graphics, audio, and real-time embedded control capabilities. To support the first nine dsPIC33 and PIC24 "E" models released today, Microchip introduced two USB starter kits and five plug-in modules (PIMs) that can be used with the Multimedia Expansion Board, Motor Control Development Kit, and Explorer 16 development platform. Additionally, 30 software libraries and application notes covering topics such as voice and audio, encryption/decryption, communications, and motor control are available. With these new devices and comprehensive support packages, customers are now able to produce high-performance designs more quickly.

Microchip's dsPIC33E DSC and PIC24E MCUs are fully compatible with the existing wide range of dsPIC33F DSC and PIC24H/PIC24F MCUs, software libraries, and tools, providing customers with a solid foundation for growth. New USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) peripherals enable connection to PCs, flash drives, and other USB-enabled devices. Delivering outstanding performance of 60 MIPS, they support advanced industrial and commercial applications such as servo motor control, solar inverters, and the parallel execution of dual three-phase motors. A new standalone Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) mode supports multi-stepper motors and dead-time compensation to reduce software overhead, while three on-chip analog comparators further reduce system costs and the number of required external components.

“Microchip continues to invest in its 16-bit product line,” said Sumit Mitra, Vice President of Microchip’s High Performance Microcontroller business unit. “Building on the success of previous generation dsPIC DSC and PIC24 MCUs, the new ‘E’ core devices and extensive support resources provide the enhanced performance, high integration rates, and whole-product solutions that customers need due to increasingly complex designs.”

The first dsPIC33 and PIC24 "E" devices each include four SPI and UART interfaces and two I2C™ interfaces. Designers can program or erase flash data using a new auxiliary flash module without slowing down the normal CPU operating speed, which plays a crucial role in motor control, power conversion, and many other applications requiring in-operation programming capabilities. Enhanced Direct Memory Access (DMA) capabilities automatically initiate associated DMA tasks, and improved debugger functions allow for the use of complex breakpoints for rapid debugging. Additionally, thanks to improved timer functions, the input-capture and output-capture modules of the dsPIC33 and PIC24 "E" devices have become more flexible and powerful.

Development support
Microchip also introduced the dsPIC33E USB Starter Kit (Part No.: DM330012) and the PIC24E USB Starter Kit (Part No.: DM240012) today. These starter kits can be used to develop effective user interfaces when developing independently without debugger equipment, in conjunction with Microchip's development platforms such as the Multimedia Expansion Board (Part No.: DM320005).

Several plug-in modules (PIMs) for Microchip’s Explorer 16 development board and motor control development kits were also released today, including the dsPICDEM™ MCHV (part number: DM330023), dsPICDEM MCLV (part number: DM330021), and dsPICDEM MCSM (part number: DM330022) kits. The new PIMs include the dsPIC33E 100-pin PIM (Part No.: MA330025-1) for motor control, general-purpose, and graphics applications; the PIC24E 100-pin PIM (Part No.: MA240025-1) for general-purpose and graphics applications; the dsPIC33E 144-pin PIM (Part No.: MA330025-2) for general-purpose and graphics applications; the dsPIC33E 144-pin PIM (Part No.: MA330025-3) for motor control applications; and the PIC24E 144-pin PIM (Part No.: MA240025-2) for general-purpose and graphics applications. The dsPIC33E Dual Motor Control PIM (Part No.: MA330027) enables designers to control two motors with a single dsPIC33E DSC and is scheduled for release in July 2011.

dsPIC33E and PIC24E devices are supported through Microchip's standard development tools, such as MPLAB® IDE, MPLAB ICD 3 In-Circuit Debugger and REAL ICE™ In-Circuit Emulator, and the MPLAB C Compiler (also known as MPLAB C30 C Compiler) for PIC24 MCUs and dsPIC DSCs. More information can be found at http://www.microchip.com/get/BDKV .

Package and supply
The dsPIC33E DSC and PIC24E MCU are supplied in 64-pin QFN and TQFP packages, 100 and 144-pin TQFP, 121-pin BGA, and 144-pin LQFP packages. For more information, contact a Microchip sales representative or an authorized distributor worldwide, or visit the Microchip website ( http://www.microchip.com/get/BDKV ). The products mentioned in this press release can be purchased by visiting microchipDIRECT or by contacting an authorized Microchip distributor partner.