Digital Signal Controllers for Intelligent Power Supply Applications

The dsPIC30F1010 and dsPIC30F2020/2023 have a high-speed, 1 nanosecond resolution pulse-width-modulator and 2 million sample per second, 10-bit analogue-to-digital converter onboard for low latency, high-resolution control.

The new devices extend Microchip’s previous success in providing microcontroller and analogue control solutions for communications, power-sequencing and soft-start features in intelligent power supply applications by allowing designers to implement digital control of the complete power-conversion loop within their products.

This control of the power-conversion loop is achieved by a combination of software performance and the integrated high-performance peripherals. Application features can now include automatic calibration, temperature compensation, improved power density, greater cost-effectiveness and support for a wider range of applications with software-based product differentiation.

Specific examples of applications that can immediately see cost and performance benefits by using the new devices include power supplies with multiple outputs, coordinated load sharing, hot-swap capability, output coordination, integrated power factor correction or extensive fault-handling. Other applications that can benefit from the advanced peripherals include digital lighting control, and large-screen LCD backlighting.

The new devices’ PWM module offers 1 ns duty cycle resolution and seven modes of operation, including standard, complementary, push-pull and variable-phase. The 10-bit A-to-D converter has up to 12 input channels and samples at up to 2 MSPS. Advanced sampling capabilities include either simultaneous sampling or individual triggers for each of four sample and holds.