Microchip upgrades enhanced core dsPIC33E and PIC24E devices to 70 MIPS

CHANDLER, USA: Microchip Technology Inc. announced the upgrade of its formerly 60 MIPS enhanced-core dsPIC33E Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) and PIC24E microcontrollers (MCUs) to 70 MIPS performance. The devices feature 536 KB Flash memory and 52 KB RAM, greater I/O capabilities, a USB 2.0 OTG interface, and enhanced motor-control, graphics, audio and real-time embedded-control capabilities.

Additionally, the family has been expanded with the release of three new non-USB 64-pin devices that are fully compatible with Microchip’s entire portfolio of dsPIC33F DSCs and PIC24H/PIC24F MCUs, software libraries and tools, providing a solid growth path for current customers.

The upgraded 70 MIPS motor-control DSCs enable designers to expand motor-control system performance in high-end industrial and commercial applications. These devices include Microchip’s industry-leading motor control PWM peripherals, enabling the generation of PWM waveforms needed to control virtually any motor, such as servos, and running dual three-phase motors in parallel. A new dead-time compensation feature reduces software overhead.

Additionally, the USB 2.0 OTG peripheral enables connections to a PC, Flash drive and other USB-enabled devices, and 70 MIPS performance means the new DSCs and MCUs support computer-interfaced applications. Three on-chip analog comparators further reduce system cost and the number of external components required. These capabilities, coupled with the family’s high integration, make them some of the most capable motor control devices on the market.

“Upgrading our recently-introduced portfolio of dsPIC33E and PIC24E devices to 70 MIPS allows our customers to benefit from higher performance at no extra cost,” said Sumit Mitra, VP of Microchip’s High-Performance Microcontroller Division. “The three new 64-pin devices with 536 KB Flash memory facilitate applications needing larger Flash and RAM memories, while still fitting into a small 9 mm x 9 mm QFN footprint.”