As the development of high-end embedded control applications becomes more complex, system developers need more flexible options to provide scalability for their systems. To this end, Microchip Technology Inc. (Microchip Technology Inc.) today announced the launch of new dual-core and single-core dsPIC33C digital signal controllers (DSCs) that can meet changing application needs and provide more options in memory, operating temperature and functional safety.

Microchip's new dsPIC33CH512MP508 dual-core DSC provides support for applications with larger program memory requirements. The dsPIC33CK64MP105 single-core DSC provides a low-cost option for applications that require smaller memory and size. Developers can easily switch between these new devices because the dsPIC33CH and dsPIC33CK series are fully pin-compatible.

The dsPIC33CH512MP508 (MP5) family extends the recently introduced dsPIC33CH by increasing memory from 128 KB to 512 KB and tripling the program RAM (random access memory) storage from 24 KB to 72 KB. The extended devices support larger applications that require multiple software stacks or larger program memory, such as automotive and wireless charging applications. Automotive applications require more memory to support AUTOSAR software, MCAL drivers, and CAN FD peripherals. Wireless charging in automotive applications requires additional software stacks to support the Qi protocol and near field communication (NFC), which in turn requires more program memory. For high-availability systems, real-time firmware updates using the Live Update feature are critical, but also double the overall memory requirements. In dual-core devices, one core can be designed as a master and the other as a slave. The slave core is used to execute time-sensitive dedicated control code, while the master core is used to run functions such as user interface, system monitoring, and communication. For example, the dual cores enable partitioning of the software stack for parallel execution of the Qi protocol and other functions, including NFC, to optimize the performance of in-vehicle wireless charging applications.

The dsPIC33CK64MP105(MP1) family is an extension of the recently introduced dsPIC33CK family, with low-cost models for applications requiring smaller memory and packaging, offering up to 64 KB of flash memory and 28- to 48-pin packages with a minimum package size of 4 mm x 4 mm. This compact device provides an ideal feature set for in-vehicle sensors, motor control, high-density DC-DC applications or standalone Qi transmitters. Single- and dual-core dsPIC33C devices provide fast, deterministic performance for time-sensitive control applications, with extended context select registers to reduce interrupt latency and speed up instruction execution for math-intensive algorithms.

“With 76 dsPIC33C single- and dual-core devices in the family, customers can more easily adapt as their memory, I/O, performance or budget needs change with common tools, common peripherals and package compatibility,” said Joe Thomsen, vice president of Microchip’s MCU16 business unit. “In addition, dual-core devices make software integration easier for individual software development teams, allowing them to focus on control algorithms rather than communications and mundane code.”

All devices in the dsPIC33C family include a full set of functional safety hardware to simplify ASIL-B and ASIL-C certification in safety-critical applications. Functional safety features include multiple redundant clock sources, Fail-Safe Clock Monitor (FSCM), IO port readback, Flash Error Correction Code (ECC), RAM Built-In Self-Test (BIST), write protection, analog peripheral redundancy and more. With a robust set of CAN-FD peripherals and the addition of support for high-temperature operation to 150°C, these devices are ideal for applications in extreme environments such as automotive front hoods (engine covers).

Development Support

The dsPIC33C family is supported by Microchip’s MPLAB® development ecosystem, including Microchip’s free downloadable MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE), MPLAB Code Configurator, MPLAB XC16 C Compiler Toolchain and MPLAB In-Circuit Debugger/Programmer tools. Microchip’s motorBench™ 2.0 development package now supports high-voltage motors up to 600V, helping customers tune motors with field-oriented control (FOC) algorithms.

The full range of devices is supported by a variety of development boards and plug-in modules (PIMs). Development tools for the new devices include the dsPIC33CH Curiosity Development Board (DM330028-2), the dsPIC33CH512MP508 PIM for general purpose designs (MA330046), the dsPIC33CH512MP508 PIM for motor control (MA330045), the dsPIC33CK64MP105 PIM for general purpose designs (MA330047), the dsPIC33CK64MP105 PIM for external op amp motor control (MA330050-1), and the dsPIC33CK64MP105 for internal op amp motor control (MA330050-2).