Microchip Technology has introduced two new families to its dsPIC33A Digital Signal Controller (DSC) lineup: the dsPIC33AK512MPS512 and dsPIC33AK512MC510. These devices are designed to meet the evolving needs of real-time embedded applications, offering higher precision, better reliability, and compliance with modern industry standards. They are particularly suited for applications requiring intensive control algorithms, such as motor control, AI server power supplies, energy storage systems, and complex sensor signal processing using Machine Learning (ML)-based inferencing.
Joe Thomsen, corporate vice president of Microchip’s digital signal controller unit, emphasized the growing need for more efficient power conversion in AI servers and data centers. “With the advanced peripherals and high-performance core in the dsPIC33AK512MPS family, developers can achieve significant energy savings while reducing the power supply footprint,” he said. The new DSC families come with specialized features to enhance designs for modern power conversion, motor control, and sensing applications.
The dsPIC33AK512MPS family boasts industry-leading 78 ps high-resolution Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and low-latency 40 Msps Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), enabling precise control in DC-DC converters based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) technologies. These devices also include advanced security features, an integrated touch controller, and a high pin count of up to 128 pins. Meanwhile, the dsPIC33AK512MC family delivers a cost-effective solution for multi-motor control and complex embedded applications, with 1.25 ns PWM resolution and 40 Msps ADCs for fast, low-latency performance.
With up to 512 KB of Flash memory and a broad range of peripherals, the dsPIC33A families integrate a double-precision floating-point unit to accelerate computations and offer a 32-bit architecture that simplifies model-based design. Their enhanced instruction set and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) capabilities, including single-cycle Multiply-Accumulate (MAC) operations and a 200 MHz core speed, make them ideal for real-time control applications. Supported by the MPLAB® Machine Learning Development Suite, these devices optimize the ML workflow, from data preparation to firmware conversion of optimized models.
The dsPIC33A DSC families are designed with safety in mind, meeting functional safety standards such as ISO 26262 and IEC 61508, making them suitable for automotive and industrial applications. In addition, the dsPIC33AK512MPS family includes crypto accelerators and a Flash security module for enhanced system-level security, supporting secure boot, firmware upgrades, and secure debugging. The combination of dsPIC33A DSCs and pre-certified real-time operating systems like SAFERTOS® enables the development of reliable, safety-critical applications for the automotive and industrial sectors.
Microchip Technology Inc develops embedded control and processing solutions designed for secure, connected, and intelligent applications. With a broad product portfolio and streamlined development tools, the company supports efficient system design aimed at reducing development risk, cost, and time to deployment. Serving more than 100,000 customers worldwide, Microchip’s technologies are applied across sectors including industrial, automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace and defense, communications, and computing. Based in Chandler, Arizona, the company maintains a focus on reliable product delivery, high manufacturing quality, and strong technical support.
