Microchip Provides Advanced Control Specifications for Cost-Sensitive Designs Through New PIC® MCUs and dsPIC® DSCs

Innovative performance 16-bit device for general-purpose and motor control applications

Microchip Technology (Country Manager for Korea: Byung-Don Han), a global leader in microcontroller, analog, and flash IP solutions, today introduced a new series of 16-bit PIC® microcontrollers (MCUs) and dsPIC® digital signal controllers (DSCs) that provide advanced control specifications for cost-sensitive general-purpose and motor control designs. The newly introduced devices feature support for a wide range of motor control algorithms, enabling customers to implement sensorless motor control designs at a low cost.

It integrates an on-chip Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU), a 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for implementing intelligent sensor applications, and mTouch™ capacitive touch sensing technology. These devices are supported by a single-board motor control starter kit containing a Cap-touch slider and an onboard Brushless DC (BLDC) motor, as well as three new Plug-in Modules (PIMs). This enables designers to easily build high-performance applications in markets such as home appliances (e.g., washing machines), medical (e.g., infusion pumps), and industrial (e.g., AC induction motors). (Check out the related video: http://www.microchip.com/get/RUBM )

Today's designers face the challenge of producing higher-performance products at lower costs. The dsPIC33FJ16 "GP," dsPIC33FJ16, and PIC24FJ16 "MC" devices meet these demands through specialized specifications and peripherals optimized for general-purpose and motor control applications. In addition to on-chip CTMU and ADC peripherals, the general-purpose dsPIC33FJ16 "GP" device integrates a real-time clock/calendar and up to 21 general-purpose output pins, making it suitable for driving intelligent sensors.

The dsPIC33FJ16 and PIC24FJ16 "MC" devices integrate a 6-channel pulse width modulation (PWM) peripheral with outputs synchronized for three-phase operation, enabling support for a wide range of motor control algorithms and applications, from simple sensor motors to advanced sinusoidal field-oriented control (FOC) and BLDC, permanent magnet, and synchronous AC-induction motors (ACIM).

“Customers are looking for ways to integrate more specifications and features into their designs without increasing costs,” said Sumit Mitra, Vice President of Microchip’s High Performance Microcontroller business unit. “The dsPIC33FJ16 DSC and PIC24FJ16 MCU are products that meet these demands. The ‘MC’ versions enable customers to enjoy the benefits of advanced motor control, such as higher efficiency, quieter operation, smoother torque, and enhanced stability.”

Development tool support
Microchip also introduced several new development tools that enable designers to use new devices more easily. The mTouch Sensing Technology Motor Control Starter Kit (Part No.: DM330015) contains a single board integrating a BLDC motor, a capacitive touch slider, and a built-in debugger. The dsPIC33FJ16GP102 (Part No.: MA330029), PIC24FJ16MC102 (Part No.: MA240026), and dsPIC33FJ16MC102 (Part No.: MA330026) PIMs are currently available and can be used with the Explorer 16 (Part No.: DM240001) and dsPICDEM™ MCLV (Part No.: DM330021) development boards. All of these tools are currently available for purchase via microchipDIRECT ( http://www.microchip.com/get/BTDH ).

Package and supply
The dsPIC33FJ16GP101 DSC is supplied in 18-pin PDIP and SOIC packages, as well as in a 20-pin SSOP package. The dsPIC33FJ16GP102 and dsPIC33FJ16MC102 DSCs and the PIC24FJ16MC102 MCU are supplied in 28-pin QFN-S, SDIP, SOIC, and SSOP packages, as well as in a 36-pin VLAP package. Additionally, the dsPIC33FJ16MC101 DSC and the PIC24FJ16MC101 MCU are supplied in 20-pin PDIP, SOIC, and SSOP packages.

Samples can be ordered at http://www.microchip.com/get/PHUE , and mass-produced products can be purchased at Microchip Direct ( http://www.microchip.com/get/BTDH ).