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SMPS and Digital Power Conversion Solutions from Microchip
Looking to Bring the Benefits of Digital Power Conversion - Including Higher Power Density, Lower System Cost,
and Accelerated Innovation to Your Product?
Microchip’s dsPIC® Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) for Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) and digital power conversion
are designed for applications in AC to DC converters, DC to DC converters, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS),
Renewable Power/Pure Sine Wave Inverters, Battery Chargers, HID lighting, Fluorescent lighting, and LED lighting.
Find suitable products, software, tools and training for your Digital Power Conversion Applications below:
dsPIC® DSC Digital Power Development Boards, Reference Designs and S/W Tools:
Accelerate Your Development
Development Board Details
Development/Starter Board
Grid-Connected Solar Micro Inverter
Reference Design
Features
This reference design demonstrates the flexibility and power of SMPS dsPIC ®
Digital Signal Controllers in Grid-Connected Power Conversion Systems. This
reference design works with any PV Panel of maximum of 220 Watts having
open circuit voltage between 25V to 55V DC. This reference design will ensure
maximum power tracking for PV panel voltage between 25V to 45V DC. Two
versions of this reference design are available to support 110V and 220V grid.
Key Features
- Peak efficiency of up to 94%
- Beta build peak efficiency of up to 92%
- Output current THD less than 2%
- Power factor greater than 0.95
- Maximum power point tracking
- Grid voltage and frequency tracking
- Protection against various current and voltage faults
- System Islanding to detect grid failure
Digital LED Lighting Development Kit
Microchip’s Digital LED Lighting Development Kit enables designers to quickly
leverage the capabilities and performance of the dsPIC33 ‘GS’ series of Digital
Signal Controllers (DSCs) and to develop LED lighting products. The dsPIC33
‘GS’ DSC and this reference design allow developers to create a 100% digitally
controlled ballast function, while including advanced features such as dimming
and color hue control. The dsPIC33 ‘GS’ DSCs can support an entire system
implementation for LED lighting products, including power-conversion circuits,
such as AC-to-DC and DC-to-DC conversion, along with functions such as
Power Factor Correction (PFC), which are necessary for a complete product and
lower the overall system cost.
Key Features
- Color control for RGB LEDs
- Supports DMX512 Standard for brightness control
- Flexible input voltage support, including both Buck and Boost topologies
- Fully dimmable
- Full digital control
- Fault protection
- Fully controlled with a single dsPIC33FJ16GS504 DSC
Digital HID Ballast Reference Design
Microchip’s Digital High Intensity Discharge (HID) Ballast Reference Design
showcases the benefits digital control can bring to an HID ballast. HID ballasts
must go through the complicated process of igniting the HID bulb and then
transitioning it into steady state operation. Typically HID ballasts require a large
set of analog controllers to properly control the HID lamp. However, using digital
control techniques a single Microchip dsPIC device is able to control the entire
HID ballast, reducing the ballast’s components and costs.
Key Features
- Full digital HID ballast control
- Single dsPIC controls entire HID ballast
- Standard 12V automotive voltage input
- “Slim” ballast form factor
- Under voltage, over voltage, over current protection
DC/DC LLC Resonant Converter
Reference Design
Microchip’s 200W DC/DC LLC Resonant Converter Reference Design operates
over a wide input voltage range (350V- 420V DC) with a nominal input of 400V,
providing a 12V DC output, while maintaining high-voltage isolation between the
primary and secondary. This reference design is implemented using a single
dsPIC33F “GS” digital-power DSCs from Microchip that provides the full digital
control of the power conversion and system management functions.
Key Features
- Low power consumption at no load
- Programmable soft-start
- Voltage, Current, Temperature monitoring and protection
- Primary and secondary MOSFET control
- Full Digital Control
Quarter Brick DC/DC Converter
Reference Design
This reference design provides an easy method to evaluate the power, and
features of (SMPS) dsPIC® Digital Signal Controllers in high density quarter brick
DC-DC converters for Intermediate Bus Architectures (IBA). This reference
design is implemented using a single dsPIC33F “GS” digital-power DSCs from
Microchip that provides the full digital control of the power conversion and
system management functions.
Key Features
- Primary and Secondary MOSFET control
- Active Current Share
- Remote ON/OFF
- Programmable soft start
- Controlled Fall time
- Voltage, Current, Temperature monitoring and Protection
- Configurable output voltage
- Full Digital Control
AC/DC Reference Design
This reference design provides an easy method to evaluate the power, and
features of SMPS dsPIC® Digital Signal Controllers for high wattage AC-DC
conversion application. Discover the many benefits of digital power control
implementation in this reference design.
Key Features (of SMPS AC/DC Reference Design)
- Operates at universal input voltage (85-265V AC, 45-65 Hz)
- Operation up to 300W on 12V output
- Full Load operation on 3.3V and 5V outputs when loaded individually
and/or simultaneously
- 3.3V output at 56A
- 5V output at 23A
- Power Factor Performance of 0.99 at full load (110V AC / 220VAC)
- Various Fault Indication and Protection
- Excellent Dynamic Load Performance and Output Sequencing
- Separate boards for digital signals (Signal Board) and power stage
(Power Board)
- Signal Board has two dsPIC33F16GS504 devices controlling different
power stages
- MPLAB® ICD 2/ICD 3 or REAL ICE support ready
Digital Pure Sine Wave
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Reference Design
Microchip’s Digital Pure Sine Wave Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Reference Design is based on the dsPIC33F “GS” series of digital-power Digital
Signal Controllers (DSCs). This reference design demonstrates how digitalpower techniques when applied to UPS applications enable easy modifications
through software, the use of smaller magnetic, intelligent battery charging,
higher efficiency, compact designs, reduction in audible and electrical noise via a
purer sine-wave output, USB communication and low-cost overall bill-ofmaterials.
Key Features
- High-frequency design
- Adjustable charging current
- Efficiency of 84%
- Pure sine wave output with THD less than 3%
- Mains to Battery Transfer time less than 10 ms
- Supports Crest Factor of 3:1
- Minimum Power Factor (leading/lagging) of 0.65
- Fault indications
- USB Communication with PC
- LCD front panel
Digital Power Interleaved PFC
Reference Design
High performance power supplies are used in a wide variety of applications
ranging from telecommunication equipment, industrial equipment, digital
televisions, lighting, air conditioning and other home appliances. They all need
solutions for power factor correction to improve overall efficiency, improve the
input power factor, voltage regulation and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the
input current. Digital interleaved power factor correction methods provide many
benefits over older Power Factor Correction (PFC) techniques including:
- Lower Cost for High Power Applications
- Smaller PFC Inductor and Magnetic volume
- Higher Power Density
- Lower Ripple
- Easy implementation of sophisticated control algorithms
- Flexible software modifications to meet specific customer needs
- Simpler integration with other applications
Key Features (of Interleaved PFC Reference Design)
- Operates at universal input voltage (85-265 VAC, 45-65 Hz)
- Operates up to 350W sustained output
- Output voltages up to 400V DC
- Power factor correction of 0.998 at full load and 120 VAC input
- Current Total Harmonic Distortion (ITHD) of 3% at full load and 120 VAC
input
- Fault protection
Buck/Boost Converter PICtail™ Plus
Daughter Board
Buck/Boost Converter PICtail™ Plus Daughter Board provides an easy and
economical development platform for dsPIC® SMPS & Digital Power Conversion
family DSCs which are designed to provide low-cost and efficient control for wide
range of power supply topologies.
Key Features
- Operates at input voltage range +9V to +15V DC
- Two synchronous buck converter power stages
- One boost converter power stage
- Full Load operation on 3.3V, 5V Buck outputs and 20V Boost output when
loaded individually and or simultaneously
- 5V output1 at 3A
- 3.3V output2 at 3A
- 20V output3 at 0.75A
- PMBus communication interface connector
- Parallel operation of two buck converters
- Various Fault Indication and Protection
- Excellent Dynamic load performance and Output Sequencing
- Connection to Explorer 16 Development Board or 28-pin Starter
Development board
16-Bit 28-Pin Starter Board
This low-cost, 16-bit, 28-pin Starter Development Board supports 28- dsPIC
Digital Signal Controller (DSC) devices or pin PIC24 microcontrollers. This board
is an ideal prototyping tool to help validate key design requirements using these
DSCs and microcontrollers.
This board can be purchased with ICD2 (PN:DV164027 ) or without ICD2
(PN:DM300027 )
Key Features
- Prototyping tool for all 28-pin, SDIP dsPIC30F, dsPIC33F and PIC24
devices
- On-board regulators for 3.3V or 5V operation
- Power input from 9V power supply or USB power source
- Single UART communication channel via USB bridge
- Connectors for MPLAB® ICD 2 In-circuit Debugger/Programmer and
PICkit™ 2
- Header for access to all device I/O pins
- Circuit prototyping area including pads for SOIC and SOT-23 devices
- Includes a 28-pin PIC24FJ64GA002
Explorer 16 Development Board
The Explorer 16 is a low cost, efficient development board to evaluate the
features and performance of Microchip's new PIC24 Microcontroller, the
dsPIC33 Digital Signal Controller (DSC) families, and the new 32-bit PIC32MX
devices. Coupled with the MPLAB ICD 2 In Circuit Debugger or MPLAB REAL
ICE, real-time emulation and debug facilities speed evaluation and prototyping of
application circuitry.
Key Features
- Includes PIC24FJ128GA010 and the dsPIC33FJ256GP710 Plug-in
Modules
- Alpha-numeric 16 x 2 LCD display
- Interfaces to MPLAB ICD 2, MPLAB REAL ICE, USB, and RS-232
- Includes Microchip's TC1047A high accuracy, analog output temperature
sensor
- Expansion connector to access full devices pin-out
- Supports Plug-in modules for 28-pin, 44-pin & 100-pin dsPIC® Devices
Click here for the complete list of plug-in modules
Buck DC-DC Converter: SMPS Buck
Development board
This development board provides an easy and economical way to evaluate the
dsPIC30F202x/1010 SMPS and Digital Power Conversion family of components
and provides an educational and prototyping platform to investigate digital power
conversion and digital Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) design. The board
includes a socketed dsPIC30F2020 device connected to power devices and
circuitry for controlling dual independent low power DC-DC Synchronous Buck
Converter circuits as well as support, debug, and communication circuitry.
Key Features
- Socketed dsPIC30F2020 on board connected to power devices and
circuitry for controlling dual independent low power DC-DC Synchronous
Buck Converter circuits
- Buck converters can operate in Synchronous or Asynchronous modes
- Input voltage range 7V to 15V (nominal 9V)
- User can enable a dynamic output load to investigate transient response
- User potentiometers to simulate application features such as voltage trim,
remote voltage sense, voltage tracking, current sharing, etc.
- MPLAB® ICD 2 or REAL ICE support ready
- RS-232 serial channel
- Example software for implementing digital dual synchronous buck
converter
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dsPIC® DSC Digital Power Training: Variety of Learning Options
Going digital the easy way in the technical aspects of digital power conversion and SMPS design with hands-on training
and FREE web seminars from Microchip.
The Web Seminars listed below specifically focus on understanding and developing digital power SMPS and how the
dsPIC® DSC SMPS devices can be used to implement digital power conversion products.
Training Format
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Web Seminar
Lecture
Hands-On
Seminar/Workshop Title
LLC Resonant Converter Reference Design using the dsPIC® DSC
Quarter Brick Phase Shift Full Bridge DCDC Converter
Controlling High Brightness LEDs using the dsPIC® GS series of SMPS controllers
Offline UPS Reference Design using the dsPIC® DSC
Interleaved Power Factor Correction
Introduction to Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS)
SMPS Components and their effects on System Design
SMPS Buck Converter Design Example
Introduction to SMPS Control Techniques
Advanced SMPS Topics
Introduction to the dsPIC® SMPS (part 1)
Introduction to the dsPIC® SMPS (part 2)
Building a dsPIC® SMPS system
PWR 3101: Digital Power Converter Basics using dsPIC33 Digital Signal Controllers (DSC)
PWR 3201: Implementation of Digital Control Techniques for Power Converters using dsPIC ®
SMPS Family
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Getting Started with dsPIC® Digital Power Products
What is Digital Power?
I am new to SMPS and digital power, where should I start?
I have experience in designing SMPS but I am new to Microchip and would like to evaluate your dsPIC® DSCs devices for
my next generation of SMPS products.
I want to find the low cost tools and evaluation boards for digital power applications.
Tell me the benefits of using dsPIC® DSC’s in my power conversion applications.
What are the features that dsPIC® PWM Module will provide for SMPS applications?
What are the important features that dsPIC® ADC module provides for SMPS applications?
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Benefits of the dsPIC® DSC SMPS and Digital Power Conversion Devices
(back to Getting Started)
Self-contained SMPS solutions and rich peripherals of dsPIC® Digital Power devices enable the engineer to design
solutions that do not require much in the way of external support chips. So when using the dsPIC DSC SMPS solution,
developers can obtain a 20% reduction in component count over other solutions.
In addition to the space and cost-saving features that are in the dsPIC DSC SMPS solution, it also has special features
specifically enabling advanced power conversion. These include an Intelligent Power peripheral. The independent PWM,
ADC and Analog Comparators peripherals form the Intelligent Power Peripheral via an internal configurable control fabric
that enables them to interact directly with one another. The capability and benefits offered by the configurable control fabric
are:
• Configurable Control Fabric
- Controls Coordination between Comparators, PWM, and ADC
- Set-up via Software/Operates Independently of Software
- Precisely Times ADC Conversions
- Controls PWM Response to Faults
• Benefits of Configurable Control Fabric
- Provides Real-Time Response without Firmware Intervention
- Expands Control Range of Options
- Adaptable for a Wide Variety of Control Methodologies
- Provides Fail-Safe Control
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What is Digital Power?
(back to Getting Started)
Digital circuits provide the functions of configuration, tracking, monitoring, protection, sequencing, and communications. The
control feedback or feed-forward loop is controlled by the digital circuits in the dsPIC device and software running on the
dsPIC device. The control circuits include A/D converters, Pulse Width Modulation, Analog Comparators and
communication interfaces in the dsPIC device.
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I have experience in designing SMPS but I am new to Microchip and would like to evaluate your dsPIC® DSCs
devices for my next generation of SMPS products?
I want to find the low cost tools and evaluation boards for digital power applications.
(back to Getting Started)
Microchip provides you everything you will need to prototype your digital power application including, development boards,
debuggers and software libraries. Once you have installed the free MPLAB® IDE and free student edition compiler MPLAB
C30, just follow the easy directions below and purchase the components at microchipDIRECT.com. You can then begin
your design! Remember that all of Microchip’s 16- and 32-bit MCUs and DSCs are supported by Explorer 16 starter kit, so
you can leverage this investment many times over the years.
Back to Development boards section
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I am new to SMPS and Digital power, where should I start?
(back to Getting Started)
If you are new to SMPS and Digital Power, learning about Power conversion topologies is a great place to start. Click here
for the SMPS Topologies application notes.
We have several Application Notes, Web seminars and Hands-on trainings (RTC) that may be very helpful.You can also
explore our Intelligent Power Supply Design Center to learn more about SMPS and Digital power.
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What are the features that dsPIC® PWM Module will provide for SMPS applications?
(back to Getting Started)
dsPIC® SMPS family devices features the PWM module tailor made for SMPS applications which requires high-speed and
high resolution PWM. Following are the main features of the PWM module. Please refer to individual datasheets, reference
manuals for the detailed capabilities of PWM module.
- Up to Four PWM Generators with Four to Eight Outputs
- Individual Time Base and Duty Cycle for each of the Eight PWM Outputs
- Dead Time for Rising and Falling Edges
- Dead Time for Rising and Falling Edges
- Duty Cycle Resolution of 1.04 ns
- Dead-Time Resolution of 1.04 ns
- Phase Shift Resolution of 1.04 ns
- Frequency Resolution of 1.04 ns
- PWM Modes of operation
- Standard Edge-Aligned
- True Independent Output
- Complementary
- Center-Aligned
- Push-Pull
- Multi-Phase
- Variable Phase
- Fixed Off-Time
- Current Reset
- Current-Limit
- Independent Fault/Current-Limit Inputs for 8 PWM Outputs
- Output Override Control
- Special Event Trigger
- PWM Capture Feature
- Prescaler for Input Clock
- Dual Trigger from PWM to ADC
- WMxL, PWMxH Output Pin Swapping
- PWM4H, PWM4L Pins Remappable
- On-the-Fly PWM Frequency, Duty Cycle and
- Phase Shift Changes
- Disabling of Individual PWM Generators
- Leading-Edge Blanking (LEB) Functionality
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What are the important features that dsPIC® ADC module provide for SMPS applications?
(back to Getting Started)
dsPIC® SMPS Family devices come with a unique ADC features. Please refer to device datasheets for the complete details
of ADC capabilities.
High-Speed 10-Bit ADC
- 10-Bit Resolution
- Up to 12 Input Channels Grouped into
- Six Conversion Pairs
- Two Internal Reference Monitoring Inputs Grouped into a Pair
- Successive Approximation Register (SAR) Converters for Parallel Conversions of Analog Pairs:
- 4 Msps for devices with two SARs
- 2 Msps for devices with one SAR
- Dedicated Result Buffer for each Analog Channel
- Independent Trigger Source Section for each Analog Input Conversion Pair
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dsPIC® DSC Power Conversion Products
Implementing advanced software digital control loops for power applications requires a high-performance DSP engine along
with specialized peripherals. The high-performance CPU and rich peripherals of the dsPIC® DSC devices enable solutions
that do not require much in the way of external support chips. In addition to the space and cost-saving benefits found in the
dsPIC DSC solutions, special features enable advanced power conversion. The DSP engine can perform single-cycle MAC
with data saturation, zero overhead looping and barrel shifting required to support fast control loop execution.
These devices include peripherals specifically designed for power conversion. Peripherals such as a high-speed PWM,
ADC and analog comparators can be tied together using an internal configurable control fabric that enables them to interact
directly with one another, resulting in stunning performance gains in digital power applications.
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