Microchip's new dsPIC33EP GS family of digital signal controllers (DSCs) makes power supply designs more energy efficient and better in specifications.
They have a higher switching frequency, which makes it possible to develop physically smaller power supplies that provide higher density and lower cost. Compared to the previous generation DSC, the dsPIC33EP GS device uses less than half the delay when used in a three-pole, three-zero compensator, and reduces power consumption by 80% in any application.
The 14 device families include Live Update Flash functionality, which is especially useful for high availability or "always on" systems. It allows the firmware of the working power supply, including the active compensator calculation code, to be updated while maintaining continuous regulation. The dsPIC33EP controller is available in a 4x4mm UQFN package (the industry's smallest) and is suitable for space-constrained designs.
Other key features of the series include up to five 12-bit ADCs with up to 22 ADC inputs, providing a total throughput of 16 megasamples per second (Msps) with 300 ns ADC latency. This range includes a 12-bit DAC for each of the four analog comparators for more accurate designs. Two on-chip programmable gain amplifiers are available for current sensing and other precision measurements. These advanced analog amplifiers on board can minimize the number of external components required, thereby reducing cost and board space.
The perfect combination of dsPIC33EP GS series features and high performance makes it ideal for a wide range of applications, including computers and telecommunications (for example, AC / DC and DC-DC power supplies), industrial applications (for example, solar inverters, LED lighting, HID Lighting) the company said that the product includes battery chargers, projectors and welders) and cars (such as LED and HID headlights, DC-DC converters).
