Microchip brings advanced control to cost-sensitive designs with PIC MCUs and dsPIC DSCs

CHANDLER, USA: Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, announced a new series of 16-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs) and dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) that bring advanced control to cost-sensitive general-purpose and motor-control designs.

The new devices enable low-cost, sensorless motor-control designs, with support for a wide range of motor-control algorithms, and include an on-chip Charge Time Measurement Unit (CTMU) and 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), to enable intelligent sensor applications and mTouch capacitive touch sensing.

The devices are supported by three new Plug-In Modules (PIMs) and a single-board motor-control starter kit that includes cap-touch sliders and an onboard BLDC motor, making it easy for designers to create high-performance applications in the appliance (e.g. washing machines), medical (e.g. infusion pumps) and industrial (e.g. AC-induction motors) markets, among others.

Today’s designers are challenged to create higher-performing products at lower costs. With specialized features and peripherals optimized for general-purpose and motor-control applications, at prices near $1.00 each in high-volume quantities, the dsPIC33FJ16 “GP,” dsPIC33FJ16 and PIC24FJ16 “MC” devices meet these needs. In addition to their on-chip CTMU and ADC peripherals, the general-purpose dsPIC33FJ16 “GP” devices include a Real-Time Clock/Calendar and up to 21 general-purpose output pins, making them ideal for driving intelligent sensors.

The dsPIC33FJ16 and PIC24FJ16 “MC” devices include a 6-channel Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) peripheral with synchronized outputs for 3-phase operation, enabling support for a wide range of motor-control algorithms and applications, from simple sensored motors to advanced Sinusoidal Field-Oriented Control (FOC), Brushless DC (BLDC), Permanent Magnet and Synchronous AC-Induction Motors (ACIMs).

“Customers are always looking for ways to incorporate more features and functionality into their designs without increasing costs,” said Sumit Mitra, vice president of Microchip’s High-Performance Microcontroller Division. “The dsPIC33FJ16 DSCs and PIC24FJ16 MCUs meet these needs, with the ‘MC’ versions enabling customers to enjoy the benefits of advanced motor control, such as higher efficiency, quieter operation, smoother torque and higher reliability.”