DSCs feature 100KSps, 16bit audio DAC module

Microchip Technology Inc. has rolled out six 28- and 44-pin 16bit dsPIC digital signal controllers (DSCs) with a dual-channel, 100KSps, 16bit audio DAC module for price- or size-conscious embedded system designers who require improved audio performance or wish to add audio playback to existing embedded applications.

The dsPIC DSCs are DMA-enabled with 2Kbytes of dual-port RAM to eliminate CPU overhead during data transfer. All feature 16Kbytes RAM, including dual-port RAM. The dsPIC33 devices are offered with 64Kbytes and 128Kbytes of flash memory, which can be used to store instructions or data. Microchip's DSCs feature full DSP capability for applications that wish to process, compress or decompress audio data.

Also included on the dsPIC DSCs are two analog comparators, a user-selectable 10bit or 12bit ADC and a real-time clock and calendar. Serial peripherals include 2 UARTs, 2 SPIs, I?C and CAN2.0B. A Parallel Master/Slave Port (PMP) enables parallel connection to external memory, communication peripherals or displays. The devices also include Peripheral Pin Select (PPS), which permits digital peripherals to be remapped to other pins to achieve layout efficiency or access to pin-multiplexed peripherals.

Cyclic Redundancy Checking (CRC) hardware is also included on-chip. All devices are offered in Industrial (-40° to 85°C) and Extended (-40° to 125°C) temperature ranges.

Pricing ranges from $3.67 to $4.18 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Volume production is expected to be in place by end of Q2.

- Ismini Scouras
eeProductCenter