Microchip's Digital-Signal Controllers Suits Digital Power Apps
June 02, 2015
Blog
While I generally don't think about Microchip when I'm thinking about DSP vendors, they do offer some DSP-based products that are aimed at specific ap...
While I generally don’t think about Microchip when I’m thinking about DSP vendors, they do offer some DSP-based products that are aimed at specific applications. Generally, they can simplify a design with their targeted DSPs. Case in point is the dsPIC33EP GS family. They call it a digital-signal “control” rather than a processor.
The family is designed to handle fairly sophisticated non-linear, predictive, and adaptive control algorithms at higher switching frequencies, enabling smaller and more efficient power supply designs. Features include a live update flash capability, which can be used to change an operating supply’s firmware, and up to five 12-bit ADCs with 22 ADC inputs, providing total throughput of 16 MSps, with a 300 ns ADC latency.
Each of the four analog comparators includes 12-bit DACs for higher-precision designs. Two on-chip programmable gain amplifiers can be used for current sensing. Variants of the family are available in 4 mm by 4 mm UQFN packages.
Richard Nass’ key responsibilities include setting the direction for all aspects of OSM’s ECD portfolio, including digital, print, and live events. Previously, Nass was the Brand Director for Design News. Prior, he led the content team for UBM’s Medical Devices Group, and all custom properties and events. Nass has been in the engineering OEM industry for more than 30 years. In prior stints, he led the Content Team at EE Times, Embedded.com, and TechOnLine. Nass holds a BSEE degree from NJIT.
