DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL - 50 MIPS 16KB Flash SMPS DSC | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.6829 | $4.68 |
| 10 | $4.21 | $42.10 |
| 100 | $3.78 | $378.00 |
| 500 | $3.5411 | $1,770.55 |
| 1,000 | $3.31 | $3,310.00 |
DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL Overview
A Digital Signal Controller is a hybrid architecture that fuses a microcontroller's deterministic interrupt-driven control capability with a DSP's single-cycle MAC (multiply-accumulate) engine. The dsPIC33FJ16GS404 specifically targets Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) and digital power conversion applications where the CPU must close tight feedback loops in real time while running DSP-intensive control algorithms. Within Microchip's taxonomy, it sits between general-purpose PIC24 microcontrollers and higher-end dsPIC33E/MC motor-control variants, optimized for the voltage-mode and current-mode control loops used in AC/DC, DC/DC, and power-factor-correction converters.
The device delivers 50 MIPS at a 3.3 V supply, features a built-in 4-channel high-speed PWM with 1.04 ns resolution, dual 10-bit ADCs capable of 4 MSPS aggregate sampling, and a 16-bit deep comparator-based PWM fault input. Its 16 KB self-programmable Flash supports in-application firmware updates, while 2 KB RAM provides data space for control loop coefficients and ADC buffers. The integrated 8 MHz internal oscillator with PLL eliminates the need for external crystals in cost-sensitive designs.
The dsPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL's industrial operating temperature range of -40C to +85C, combined with its dedicated SMPS peripherals, makes it suitable for primary-side and secondary-side digital control in LED drivers, telecom bricks, USB-PD adapters, solar micro-inverters, and battery management systems. Its 44-VTLA package with exposed pad also enables compact, thermally-robust layouts for high-current power stages.
When designing with this DSC, ensure the exposed pad is soldered to a sufficiently large copper pour for thermal dissipation. The PWM fault input should be wired directly to the converter's hardware protection signals so the controller can shut down within a single PWM cycle. Use MPLAB X IDE with the XC16 compiler and the dsPIC33F Peripheral Library for rapid firmware development.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, parametric drop-in alternatives, and practical SMPS design notes not consolidated in the Microchip datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL — 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 DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Core Architecture, Mounting Type, Package, Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/ML
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$4.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS402-50I/SP
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS402-I/MM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ06GS101A-I/P
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | dsPIC33F 16-bit DSC |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 50 MIPS |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (16K x 8) |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Operating Supply Voltage (Vcc/Vdd) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package / Case | 44-VTLA (6x6 mm) with exposed pad |
| Mounting Style | SMD/SMT |
| Packaging | Tube |
| ADC | Dual 10-bit, up to 4 MSPS aggregate |
| PWM Channels | 4 high-speed PWM outputs with 1.04 ns resolution |
| Internal Oscillator | 8 MHz with PLL |
| Target Application | Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) digital control |
| RoHS Status | ROHS3 Compliant |
| Factory Pack Quantity | 40 (per tube) |
DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | PWM1L/RP0 — PWM1 Low output / Remappable Pin 0 |
| Pin 2 | PWM1H/RP1 — PWM1 High output / Remappable Pin 1 |
| Pin 3 | PWM2L/RP2 — PWM2 Low output / Remappable Pin 2 |
| Pin 4 | PWM2H/RP3 — PWM2 High output / Remappable Pin 3 |
| Pin 5 | PWM3L/RP4 — PWM3 Low output / Remappable Pin 4 |
| Pin 6 | PWM3H/RP5 — PWM3 High output / Remappable Pin 5 |
| Pin 7 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 8 | PWM4L/RP6 — PWM4 Low output / Remappable Pin 6 |
| Pin 9 | PWM4H/RP7 — PWM4 High output / Remappable Pin 7 |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.0 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 11 | FLTA1/RP8 — PWM Fault A input / Remappable Pin 8 |
| Pin 12 | FLTB1/RP9 — PWM Fault B input / Remappable Pin 9 |
| Pin 13 | SYNCI1/RP10 — PWM Sync Input / Remappable Pin 10 |
| Pin 14 | SYNCO1/RP11 — PWM Sync Output / Remappable Pin 11 |
| Pin 15 | AN0/RP12 — Analog input 0 / Remappable Pin 12 |
| Pin 16 | AN1/RP13 — Analog input 1 / Remappable Pin 13 |
| Pin 17 | AN2/RP14 — Analog input 2 / Remappable Pin 14 |
| Pin 18 | AN3/RP15 — Analog input 3 / Remappable Pin 15 |
| Pin 19 | AN4/RP16 — Analog input 4 / Remappable Pin 16 |
| Pin 20 | AN5/RP17 — Analog input 5 / Remappable Pin 17 |
| Pin 21 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 22 | AN6/RP18 — Analog input 6 / Remappable Pin 18 |
| Pin 23 | AN7/RP19 — Analog input 7 / Remappable Pin 19 |
| Pin 24 | AN8/RP20 — Analog input 8 / Remappable Pin 20 |
| Pin 25 | AN9/RP21 — Analog input 9 / Remappable Pin 21 |
| Pin 26 | AN10/RP22 — Analog input 10 / Remappable Pin 22 |
| Pin 27 | AN11/RP23 — Analog input 11 / Remappable Pin 23 |
| Pin 28 | AN12/RP24 — Analog input 12 / Remappable Pin 24 |
| Pin 29 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.0 V to 3.6 V) |
| Pin 30 | OSC1/RC12 — Crystal oscillator input / Remappable Pin 12 (alt) |
| Pin 31 | OSC2/RC13 — Crystal oscillator output / Remappable Pin 13 (alt) |
| Pin 32 | SOSCI/RP25 — Secondary oscillator input / Remappable Pin 25 |
| Pin 33 | SOSCO/RP26 — Secondary oscillator output / Remappable Pin 26 |
| Pin 34 | MCLR — Master Clear (reset) input, active-low |
| Pin 35 | PGED1/RP27 — ICSP programming data / Remappable Pin 27 |
| Pin 36 | PGEC1/RP28 — ICSP programming clock / Remappable Pin 28 |
| Pin 37 | INT0/RP29 — External interrupt 0 / Remappable Pin 29 |
| Pin 38 | U1RX/RP30 — UART1 receive / Remappable Pin 30 |
| Pin 39 | U1TX/RP31 — UART1 transmit / Remappable Pin 31 |
| Pin 40 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 41 | TDI/RP32 — JTAG Test Data In / Remappable Pin 32 |
| Pin 42 | TCK/RP33 — JTAG Test Clock / Remappable Pin 33 |
| Pin 43 | TDO/RP34 — JTAG Test Data Out / Remappable Pin 34 |
| Pin 44 | VDD — Core supply voltage (3.0 V to 3.6 V) |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL is suitable for 6 applications: Digital AC/DC Power Supply Control, Isolated DC/DC Converter (Telecom Brick), LED Lighting Driver with Dimming Control, Solar Micro-Inverter Control, USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) Adapter, Battery Management System (BMS) Balancing.
Digital AC/DC Power Supply Control
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL is well-matched to primary-side and secondary-side control of AC/DC converters, where its 50 MIPS throughput runs voltage-mode and current-mode control loops at typical 100 kHz switching frequencies. The integrated 4-channel high-speed PWM with 1.04 ns resolution drives the main switch and synchronous rectifier with sub-percent duty-cycle accuracy, while the dual 10-bit ADC sampling at 4 MSPS captures current-sense and voltage-sense feedback within the same PWM cycle. The exposed pad on the VTLA-44 package sinks waste heat from the controller when placed near a switching power MOSFET bridge, keeping junction temperature within the industrial -40C to +85C envelope even in 1U server PSU form factors.
Recommended
Isolated DC/DC Converter (Telecom Brick)
In isolated 48 V to point-of-load DC/DC bricks for telecom and datacom equipment, the DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL handles peak-current-mode control of the primary MOSFET and synchronous timing on the secondary side. Its single-cycle MAC accelerates the digital compensator (Type-II/Type-III) execution inside each PWM period, allowing tighter cross-regulation between outputs. The 16 KB Flash accommodates firmware for soft-start,OV/UV lockout, current sharing and PMBus telemetry, while 2 KB RAM buffers the ADC ping-pong data used in input voltage feed-forward compensation.
Recommended
LED Lighting Driver with Dimming Control
For commercial and architectural LED drivers, the DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL provides the closed-loop control needed to maintain constant current through LED strings while accepting analog or PWM dimming inputs. Its 4 PWM channels can drive a totem-pole gate driver for the buck converter and generate a phase-shifted dimming signal at the same time, eliminating the need for an external dimming controller. The 50 MIPS performance supports advanced algorithms such as thermal foldback and color-temperature mixing for tunable-white fixtures, with the 2 KB RAM holding dimming curve lookup tables.
Recommended
Solar Micro-Inverter Control
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL is used as the secondary-side controller in grid-tied solar micro-inverters, where it executes MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking), anti-islanding checks, and grid-synchronization PLL routines in real time. Its high-resolution PWM drives the output H-bridge at 50 kHz+ with sub-percent duty accuracy needed to meet IEEE 1547 current harmonic limits, and the dual ADC samples both the DC-link voltage and the grid voltage simultaneously. The 16 KB Flash holds the MPPT state machine, while the exposed thermal pad on VTLA-44 helps dissipate heat when the inverter operates in direct sunlight at ambient temperatures approaching +85C.
Recommended
USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) Adapter
In 45-100 W USB-PD adapters that negotiate 5 V to 20 V output profiles, the DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL runs the PFC (Power Factor Correction) control loop and the downstream DC/DC control in a single device. Its PWM fault input can shut down the converter in a single cycle if over-current is detected, while the 4 PWM channels drive the PFC MOSFET, the primary-side main switch, the synchronous rectifier, and the standby auxiliary rail. The 16 KB Flash fits the full USB-PD 3.1 source-capabilities firmware plus custom OEM vendor-defined messages.
Recommended
Battery Management System (BMS) Balancing
In multi-cell lithium-ion battery management systems, the DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL drives active cell-balancing MOSFETs and monitors per-cell voltages using its dual 10-bit ADC. The 4 PWM channels generate phase-shifted balancing drive signals so multiple cells can be balanced simultaneously with low EMI. Its 50 MIPS throughput allows coulomb counting and state-of-charge (SOC) estimation to run alongside the balancing control loop, while the 16 KB Flash stores cell-characterization tables and the 2 KB RAM buffers telemetry frames sent over SMBus or CAN.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL | DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/ML | DSPIC33FJ16GS402-50I/SP | DSPIC33FJ16GS402-I/MM | DSPIC33FJ06GS101A-I/P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-VTLA (6x6 mm) | 44-VTLA (6x6 mm) - same | 44-QFN - different SMT form factor | 44-SPDIP - through-hole | 28-QFN - smaller footprint | 40-PDIP - through-hole |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 6 KB (-62%) |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB (-50%) |
| Supply Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Unit Price (1 pc, USD) | 4.6829 | approximately 4.50 (T&R variant) | approximately 4.80 | approximately 5.20 (through-hole premium) | approximately 4.10 | approximately 3.50 (smaller memory) |
Key Differentiators
- Higher Flash density in the same SMPS family (vs DSPIC33FJ06GS101A-I/P)
- Compact leadless VTLA-44 package with exposed thermal pad (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS402-50I/SP)
- Industrial 50 MIPS across full -40C to +85C range (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS402-I/MM)
Design Notes
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/TL's VTLA-44 package has an exposed thermal pad on the underside that MUST be soldered to a ground copper pour of at least 25 mm^2. Per the Microchip package outline, this exposed pad is the primary heat path; without it, the die can exceed +85C under typical SMPS switching loads. Use thermal vias (8-12) under the pad to conduct heat into the inner PCB ground plane, especially in enclosed adapters with no airflow.
Place the 3.3 V decoupling capacitor (100 nF ceramic + 4.7 uF bulk) within 2 mm of every VDD pin. The dsPIC33F SMPS family is sensitive to Vcc ripple above 50 mVpp, which manifests as PWM timing jitter and ADC noise. Keep analog inputs (AN0-AN12) routed away from PWM output traces and gate-driver signals; cross them at 90 degrees if unavoidable, and guard the analog ground return path with a separate pour that ties back at the exposed pad.
Estimated: at 50 MIPS with all peripherals active, the core draws roughly 60 mA; derate to 80 mA in worst-case industrial +85C operation. Ensure the 3.3 V LDO upstream can source at least 100 mA continuous, and do not rely on the internal 8 MHz oscillator for ADC timing-critical loops - switch to the PLL-driven 50 MHz peripheral clock so the ADC's 4 MSPS sample rate is deterministic. Also, the PWM fault pins (FLTA1, FLTB1) default to disabled; enable them in firmware so a hardware overcurrent shuts down the converter within one PWM cycle.
Compliance Information
ROHS3 Compliant per Microchip product page and DigiChip datasheet attributes. Industrial temperature grade only; no AEC-Q100 automotive variant is offered for this part number.