These are backed up by a 200MHz 32bit processing core with double-precision floating-point, DSP capabilities – including single-cycle MAC operations – and 512kbyte of flash.
For security, secured boot is combined with a cryptographic accelerator and a flash memory protection module to enable secure firmware upgrades and secure debug.
Called the dsPIC33AK512MPS512 family, these “devices enable the implementation of computation-intensive control algorithms for improved energy efficiency in motor control, AI server power supplies, energy storage systems and complex sensor signal processing with machine learning based inferencing”, according to Microchip.
A block with a high-speed comparator, a pulse density modulation DAC and a slope compensation unit is included for implementing buck, boost and buck-boost dc-dc converter current loops – the slope unit being useful to avoid sub-harmonic oscillation under as peak current mode control.
Hardware safety features are built in towards complying with ISO 26262 and IEC 61508 functional safety.
Operation is over 3 to 3.6V and -40 to +85°C (+125°C and +150°C parts are planned).
Packages up to 128pads are available.
A related family for multi-motor control, dsPIC33AK512MC, has half the number of DACs (4x), drops the crypto accelerator and only has 16bit 1.25ns PWMs.
Find the dsPIC33AK512MPS512 family on this Microchip web page.
In January, EPC released a GaN-based brushless dc motor driver evaluation board specifically aiming at designers of humanoid robots, which offered a dsPIC33 processor control option
