New DSCs enable efficient dual motor control

4th December 2013

Staff Reporter

0 0

A new family of dsPIC33 Digital Signal Controllers has been announced today by Microchip. Designated the dsPIC33EP512GM710 family, the introduction of the new DSCs signal an expansion of Microchip’s dsPIC DSC portfolio that adds higher levels of integration for motor control applications. The dsPIC33EP512GM710 family features 12 motor control PWM channels (6 pairs), dual 12-bit ADCs, multiple 32-bit Quadrature Encoder Interfaces, and two CAN modules - all which enable efficient dual motor control.

Expanding the existing dsPIC33EP families by supporting 512 KB Flash, 48 KB RAM, and four op amps, the dsPIC33EP512GM710 family can independently control two motors with a single MCU for optimized system costs. This family can also serve as a communication hub for automotive or industrial applications to connect with multiple CAN busses.

Other features of the dsPIC33EP512GM710 family include enhanced analog functionality with two independent ADC modules, configurable as 10-bit 1.1 Msps with four sample and holds or 12-bit, 500ksps with one sample and hold, supporting up to 49 channels. This analog integration enables advanced sensor applications that require multiple precision ADCs with several sample and holds as well the processing power of a DSP. The dsPIC33EP512GM710 family also includes a Peripheral Trigger Generator (PTG) for scheduling complex, high-speed peripheral operations which saves software cycles and reduces firmware complexity. The dsPIC33EP512GM710 devices enable more efficient, less expensive designs in the appliance (e.g., air conditioners, washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators); automotive (e.g., cooling fans, fuel pumps, water pumps, sensors); and industrial markets (e.g., embroidery machines, lathes, printers), among others.

“The GM710 family features 6 PWM pairs to efficiently control two BLDC or PMSM 3-phase motors in applications such as air conditioners or washing machines,” commented Joe Thomsen, director of Microchip’s MCU16 Division. “Also, this family has the features to serve as a CAN communication bridge for systems with multiple CAN busses or interface for advanced sensors by utilizing the integrated precision analog.”

The dsPIC33EP512GM710 family is supported by Microchip’s dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board (part # DM330021-2), dsPICDEM MCHV-2 Development System (part # DM330023-2) with the new dsPIC33EP512GM706 Single Motor Internal Op Amp PIM (part # MA330033). For non-motor control applications, a new dsPIC33EP512GM710 General Purpose PIM (part # MA330035) is offered for Microchip’s Explorer 16 Development Board (part # DM240001).

The new dsPIC33EP512GM710 MCU family is available today for sampling and volume production, starting at $2.63 each in volume. Details on each product variant can be found in the datasheet.