DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT - Dual-Core 100MHz DSC, 512KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $12.3 | $12.30 |
| 10 | $11.05 | $110.50 |
| 100 | $9.45 | $945.00 |
| 500 | $7.95 | $3,975.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.85 | $6,850.00 |
| 3,000 | $5.95 | $17,850.00 |
DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT Overview
A Digital Signal Controller is a hybrid device that combines a microcontroller's deterministic interrupt-driven control with a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)'s single-cycle MAC engine. The dsPIC33CH family extends this further by placing two independent dsPIC cores on-chip: the master core manages application code, communication stacks, and the housekeeping peripheral set, while the slave core executes time-critical DSP loops such as field-oriented control (FOC) or power-conversion compensators, communicating with the master through deterministic dual-port RAM and shared mailbox FIFOs. This topology belongs to the broader hierarchy: DSC -> microcontroller -> embedded processor -> semiconductor IC.
Key features include dual-core 16-bit architecture, 200 MHz master PLL clock with 180 MHz slave PLL, 16 high-resolution PWM channels with 250 ps resolution, four operational amplifiers and three 12-bit ADCs with up to 40 Msps combined throughput, plus CAN FD and high-speed comparators. Functional-safety features include a windowed watchdog, RAM built-in self-test (MBIST), and a dedicated slave core that can supervise the master, supporting IEC 60730 Class B and helping designers targeting ASIL-B / SIL-1 systems.
Architecturally the device uses a Harvard bus with separate program and data paths, dual-issue DSP instructions, and a hardware divider to sustain real-time control loops. The high-resolution PWM (HRPWM) edge placement is generated by a micro-edge delay line, allowing switching frequencies in the multi-MHz range without losing duty-cycle precision - critical for totem-pole PFC, LLC converters, and high-FPM field-oriented motor drives.
Typical applications include field-oriented motor control for industrial servo and traction drives, on-board EV charger and totem-pole PFC power supplies, solar inverters with MPPT, audio Class-D amplification, and functional-safety sub-systems. The dual-core split also suits dual-motor drone ESCs and precision robotics where one core drives the kinematics and the second core runs the per-axis current loop.
When designing with this part, allocate the slave core exclusively to the deterministic control loop and let the master handle communication, sequencing, and housekeeping. Keep HRPWM analog ground returns short, decouple VDD/VSS close to the package with 100 nF + 1 µF pairs, and follow Microchip AN2721 and TB3138 for slave-core bring-up.
This page synthesises distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, and practical dual-core design notes that go beyond the manufacturer datasheet itself.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Operating Temperature, Core Architecture, Master Core Speed.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33CH512MP208-I/PT
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PTVAO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CH512MP208T-E/PTVAO
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Family | dsPIC33CH |
| Core Architecture | Dual-core 16-bit dsPIC33 DSC |
| Master Core Speed | 100 MIPS (200 MHz) |
| Slave Core Speed | 90 MIPS (180 MHz) |
| Program Flash | 584 KB (512 KB instruction + 72 KB data) |
| RAM | 64 KB |
| Instruction Set | 16-bit dsPIC with DSP extensions |
| Package | 80-pin TQFP (PT), 12x12 mm, 0.50 mm pitch |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +125 °C (E-temp) |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| ADC | 3x 12-bit, up to 40 Msps combined |
| High-Resolution PWM Channels | 16 |
| HRPWM Resolution | 250 ps |
| Operational Amplifiers | 4 on-chip |
| CAN FD | Yes |
| DMA Channels | 8 |
| Timers | 16-bit / 32-bit, multiple |
| Functional Safety | Windowed WDT, MBIST, dual-core supervisory |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT 80-pin tqfp (pt), 12x12 mm, 0.50 mm pitch Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT (80-pin tqfp (pt), 12x12 mm, 0.50 mm pitch package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.
No detailed pinout data available for DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT is suitable for 7 applications: Field-Oriented Control (FOC) Motor Drive, Totem-Pole PFC and On-Board EV Charger, Solar Inverter with MPPT, Functional-Safety Sub-System, Drone Dual-Motor Electronic Speed Controller (ESC), Audio Class-D Amplifier, Industrial Servo Drive / Robotics.
Field-Oriented Control (FOC) Motor Drive
The DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT fits three-phase FOC motor drives because its dual-core architecture splits the slow kinematics and communication stack on the 100 MIPS master from the sub-microsecond current-control loop on the 90 MIPS slave, eliminating interrupt-jitter that single-core FOC implementations suffer. The 16 HRPWM channels with 250 ps edge placement sustain 100 kHz+ switching frequencies with duty-cycle accuracy below 0.1 %, while four on-chip operational amplifiers directly sense phase currents via shunt resistors, removing the need for external current-sense amplifiers. The 12-bit 40 Msps ADC with three sample-and-hold channels acquires all three phase currents simultaneously, eliminating interleaving artefacts. Per Microchip AN2721, allocate the slave core exclusively to the FOC ISR and use shared mailbox RAM to exchange torque references with the master.
Recommended
Totem-Pole PFC and On-Board EV Charger
The DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT is well-suited to totem-pole bridgeless PFC and on-board EV charger power stages where the slave core runs the average-current-mode control loop with cycle-by-cycle current limitation, while the master handles CAN FD communication with the vehicle BMS and housekeeping. The high-resolution PWM's 250 ps resolution provides the duty-cycle accuracy needed at 200 kHz-1 MHz switching frequencies to keep THD below 3 %. Four on-chip op-amps sense AC-line voltage and current without external amplifiers, and the 64 KB RAM holds state-space observer coefficients. The dual-port mailbox RAM between cores lets the master observe slave task timing for functional-safety diagnostics without disturbing the control loop latency.
Recommended
Solar Inverter with MPPT
Solar inverters benefit from the DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT's dual-core split: the master runs the MPPT algorithm (typically perturb-and-observe or incremental-conductance at 50-100 Hz update rate), exposes Modbus/CAN interfaces, and handles grid-synchronisation relays, while the slave runs the inverter current loop at 16-32 kHz switching. The 16 HRPWM channels drive both the boost PFC stage and the full-bridge inverter with complementary outputs and programmable dead-time, eliminating the need for a separate gate-driver PWM controller. With 584 KB Flash, full grid-code firmware including anti-islanding, low-voltage ride-through and reactive-power support fits in a single device.
Recommended
Functional-Safety Sub-System
The DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT's dual-core topology naturally supports IEC 60730 Class B and IEC 61508 SIL-1 architectures: the master runs the application while the slave executes a periodic self-test routine (CPU registers, RAM MBIST, clock check, ADC sanity check) in the background, providing an independent fault-detection channel. The windowed watchdog timer and hardware CRC accelerator further reduce firmware burden for safety certification. The extended -40 °C to +125 °C operating range covers under-hood industrial and white-goods environments, making the part a single-chip replacement for an MCU plus external supervisor IC.
Recommended
Drone Dual-Motor Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
Drone ESCs benefit from the dual-core architecture of the DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT because each slave core can drive one 3-phase BLDC motor in FOC, while the master runs the flight-controller interface (DShot, OneShot, or CAN drone ESC protocol) and mixing logic. Six of the 16 HRPWM channels drive one inverter with the remaining six driving the second, and the four on-chip op-amps sense currents for both motors simultaneously. The 64 KB RAM and 584 KB Flash easily fit dual FOC firmware plus telemetry and field-upgrade bootloader.
Recommended
Audio Class-D Amplifier
Class-D audio amplifiers leverage the DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT's DSP engine running on the slave core to implement real-time speaker-protection algorithms (excursion limiting, thermal modelling) while the master runs the audio input stream over I²S and user-interface over USB or Bluetooth. The 16 HRPWM channels with 250 ps resolution produce 384 kHz PWM switching that requires only a second-order LC reconstruction filter. The 12-bit ADC monitors output current for closed-loop feedback, and the dual-core split guarantees that protection loops run without interrupt jitter from the audio path.
Recommended
Industrial Servo Drive / Robotics
Industrial servo drives and robotic joint controllers use the DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT to run field-oriented current control on the slave core with sub-10 µs loop time while the master runs EtherCAT slave stack, CiA 402 motion profile and safety state machine. The CAN FD peripheral provides the industrial bus interface, and 8 DMA channels keep ADC, PWM and SPI traffic off the CPU. The 80-pin TQFP exposes 16 PWM outputs, sufficient for dual-axis servo with redundant channels, and the 64 KB RAM stores commutation tables and observer coefficients for resolver or encoder feedback.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33CH512MP208-I/PT | DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PTVAO | DSPIC33CH512MP208T-E/PTVAO | DSPIC33CH512MP508T-I/PT | DSPIC33CH512MP206-I/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | TQFP-80 (PT), 12x12 mm | TQFP-80 (PT) - same | TQFP-80 (PT) - same | TQFP-80 (PT) - same | TQFP-64 (PT) - different | TQFP-64 (PT) - different |
| Flash Memory | 584 KB | 584 KB | 584 KB | 584 KB | 584 KB | 584 KB |
| RAM | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB |
| Master Core Speed | 100 MIPS | 100 MIPS | 100 MIPS | 100 MIPS | 100 MIPS | 100 MIPS |
| Slave Core Speed | 90 MIPS | 90 MIPS | 90 MIPS | 90 MIPS | 90 MIPS | 90 MIPS |
| HRPWM Channels | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 12 |
| Temperature Grade | E: -40 to +125 °C | I: -40 to +85 °C | E: -40 to +125 °C, AEC-Q100 | E: -40 to +125 °C, AEC-Q100, tape & reel | I: -40 to +85 °C | I: -40 to +85 °C |
| Approx. Unit Price (1 pc, USD) | ~$12.30 | ~$12.10 | ~$14.50 | ~$14.50 | ~$10.80 | ~$9.60 |
Key Differentiators
- Only dsPIC33CH family member with extended -40 °C to +125 °C industrial temperature range in standard non-automotive qualification (vs DSPIC33CH512MP208-I/PT)
- AEC-Q100 qualification option available in the same TQFP-80 footprint (vs DSPIC33CH512MP208T-E/PTVAO)
- 80-pin TQFP exposes 16 HRPWM and 4 on-chip op-amps - the largest pin-count variant of the family (vs DSPIC33CH512MP508T-I/PT)
Design Notes
DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT requires a clean 3.3 V supply on VDD and AVDD rails. Place a 10 µF bulk + 100 nF + 1 µF ceramic pair on each AVDD pin, with a ferrite bead between VDD and AVDD to keep digital switching noise out of the ADC reference. Per Microchip AN2721, the AVDD noise floor must stay below 5 mV RMS to retain 12-bit ADC effective number of bits above 11. Use a dedicated LDO (e.g. MCP1755) for AVDD rather than sharing the digital rail.
Route HRPWM outputs in matched-length pairs to avoid duty-cycle skew and ground them on a dedicated digital ground island that joins the master ground at a single point beneath the exposed pad of the TQFP. Keep the 16 PWM traces short (under 50 mm) and avoid routing them over ADC sense traces to prevent capacitive coupling. The 80-pin TQFP exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous ground pour for thermal dissipation (the dual-core can dissipate 1.0-1.5 W under full HRPWM load).
The slave core of DSPIC33CH512MP208-E/PT will not start unless the master firmware initialises the S1RPORTHANDSHAKE mailbox with a valid reset vector before releasing the slave's POR. A common pitfall is to leave the slave in reset indefinitely after a master watchdog event, which silently breaks the FOC loop. Per AN2721, also add an external pull-up on S1MCLR during debug because the slave uses alternate debug pins that may not be pulled internally. Always verify the slave is alive with a mailbox ping at master startup.
For high-resolution PWM frequencies above 250 kHz, place the external gate-driver as close as possible to the DSC output pins and use a 22 Ω-33 Ω series damping resistor to suppress ringing without slowing edge rates beyond 50 ns. Keep the bootstrap-capacitor return paths short, and add a 4.7 nF X7R bypass within 2 mm of each HRPWM output pair. For shunt current sensing, route the four op-amp outputs on a separate inner layer with a continuous ground return directly to the op-amp negative-input ground.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Microchip product page. AEC-Q100 qualification available on the -E/PTVAO variant. Lead-free and halogen-free per Microchip environmental compliance disclosures.
