DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL - 40 MIPS 16-bit SMPS DSC, 16KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.78 | $37.80 |
| 100 | $3.36 | $336.00 |
| 500 | $2.97 | $1,485.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.62 | $2,620.00 |
DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL Overview
A Digital Signal Controller (DSC) is a hybrid MCU/DSP device that combines a microcontroller's deterministic control peripherals and ease-of-use with a DSP's computational throughput for real-time signal processing. Within the power-conversion hierarchy, the dsPIC33F SMPS family sits between general-purpose PIC24 MCUs (used for slow supervisory control) and high-end DSPs (used for bulk signal processing). The dsPIC33F 'GS' sub-family adds high-resolution PWM, fast ADC, and analog comparators specifically tuned for multi-loop digital SMPS topologies such as PFC, LLC, phase-shift full-bridge, and synchronous buck/boost converters.
Key differentiating features include: 4 PWM generators with 8 PWM outputs (each PWM pair has independent duty-cycle and dead-time control and supports complementary, push-pull, and variable-phase modes), 4 analog comparators with 4 dedicated DAC references for fast cycle-by-cycle current limiting, a 10-bit ADC with up to 16 input channels and a 4 Msps conversion rate, and on-chip Flash with self-programming for in-application firmware updates. The DSP engine includes a single-cycle MAC, dual 40-bit accumulators, and a 16x16-bit hardware multiplier that together deliver the throughput required for closed-loop digital control at multi-hundred-kHz switching frequencies.
The architecture uses a 16-bit modified Harvard CPU with separate program and data paths, supported by a 16-element working register array and DSP-oriented addressing modes (modulo, bit-reversed). Internal oscillator, PLL, and clock-switching logic allow the device to operate from a 3.0 V to 3.6 V supply while still generating the high-frequency PWM timebase needed for modern SMPS converters. The QFN-28 package (designator 'TL') is thermally enhanced with an exposed pad, allowing the 40 MIPS core to operate across the industrial -40C to +125C temperature range without derating the PWM switching frequency.
Typical applications include AC-to-DC converters with Power Factor Correction (PFC), isolated and non-isolated DC-to-DC converters (buck, boost, buck-boost, flyback, forward, half/full-bridge), Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), digital lighting ballasts, solar micro-inverters, and induction-heating power stages. The combination of high-resolution PWM, fast ADC, and DSP MAC throughput lets a single dsPIC33FJ16GS404 close voltage and current loops with sub-microsecond execution latency.
When designing with this part, plan the PWM and ADC pin assignments early because some peripherals share package pins; the high-speed ADC inputs are multiplexed onto specific QFN pins to preserve analog bandwidth. The exposed thermal pad must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour for proper thermal dissipation at full 40 MIPS operation. For multi-loop SMPS topologies, reserve one comparator per current-sense channel to leverage the hardware cycle-by-cycle current-limit feature, which is a key safety benefit of the 'GS' family over general-purpose dsPIC33 devices.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/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-E/TL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Analog Comparators, PWM Channels, Program Memory (Flash), ADC, Core Architecture.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33FJ16GS404-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-E/TL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50E/TL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ16GS402-I/MM
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.55 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | dsPIC33F SMPS Digital Signal Controllers |
| Core Architecture | 16-bit dsPIC DSC (modified Harvard) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second) |
| Operating Clock Speed | 40 MHz |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB |
| Data RAM | 2 KB |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| I/O Ports | 21 |
| PWM Channels | 8 outputs (4 PWM generator pairs) |
| ADC Type | 10-bit, high-speed, up to 4 Msps |
| ADC Input Channels | Up to 16 |
| Analog Comparators | 4 (with 4 dedicated DAC references) |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI, UART |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C (industrial, 'E' suffix) |
| Package Type | QFN-28 (6 x 6 mm, 0.90 mm height, 'TL' designator) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| On-chip Debug | JTAG boundary scan / trace and run-time watch |
| In-Circuit Programming | In-Circuit and In-Application Programming supported |
| ROM Type | Flash |
| Data EEPROM | Not specified (Flash self-programming used instead) |
DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RP15/PWM4H/RC15 — Remappable I/O / PWM4 high output |
| Pin 2 | RP14/PWM3L/RC14 — Remappable I/O / PWM3 low output |
| Pin 3 | RP13/PWM3H/RC13 — Remappable I/O / PWM3 high output |
| Pin 4 | RP12/PWM2L/RC12 — Remappable I/O / PWM2 low output |
| Pin 5 | RP11/PWM2H/RC11 — Remappable I/O / PWM2 high output |
| Pin 6 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 7 | VDD — Digital supply voltage (3.0-3.6 V) |
| Pin 8 | RP10/PWM1L/RC10 — Remappable I/O / PWM1 low output |
| Pin 9 | RP9/PWM1H/RC9 — Remappable I/O / PWM1 high output |
| Pin 10 | RP8/PWM4L/RC8 — Remappable I/O / PWM4 low output |
| Pin 11 | AN12/RP7/RC7 — Analog input 12 / remappable I/O |
| Pin 12 | AN11/RP6/RC6 — Analog input 11 / remappable I/O |
| Pin 13 | AN10/RP5/CVREF10/RC5 — Analog input 10 / comparator reference |
| Pin 14 | AN9/RP4/CVREF9/RC4 — Analog input 9 / comparator reference |
| Pin 15 | AN8/RP3/C3OUT/RB3 — Analog input 8 / comparator 3 output |
| Pin 16 | AN7/RP2/C2OUT/RB2 — Analog input 7 / comparator 2 output |
| Pin 17 | AN6/RP1/C1OUT/RB1 — Analog input 6 / comparator 1 output |
| Pin 18 | AN5/RP0/C4OUT/RB0 — Analog input 5 / comparator 4 output |
| Pin 19 | AN4/RB4 — Analog input 4 |
| Pin 20 | AN3/RB5 — Analog input 3 |
| Pin 21 | AN2/RB6 — Analog input 2 |
| Pin 22 | AN1/RB7 — Analog input 1 |
| Pin 23 | AN0/RA0 — Analog input 0 |
| Pin 24 | OSC1/RA1 — Crystal oscillator input / GPIO |
| Pin 25 | OSC2/RA2 — Crystal oscillator output / GPIO |
| Pin 26 | MCLR/RA3 — Master clear reset (active low) / GPIO |
| Pin 27 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 28 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage (3.0-3.6 V) |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL is suitable for 6 applications: AC-to-DC Power Factor Correction (PFC), Isolated DC-DC Converters (Flyback / Half-Bridge / Full-Bridge), Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Digital Lighting Ballasts and LED Drivers, Solar Micro-Inverters and String Inverters, Induction Heating Power Stages.
AC-to-DC Power Factor Correction (PFC)
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL is purpose-built for single-loop boost-PFC stages up to a few kW. Its 8 high-speed PWM outputs drive the boost switch and synchronous rectifier with programmable dead-band, the 4 analog comparators with dedicated DAC references provide hardware cycle-by-cycle over-current protection on the inductor current, and the 4 Msps 10-bit ADC samples the rectified mains voltage and inductor current fast enough for digital average-current-mode control. At 40 MIPS the DSC core closes both the outer voltage loop and the inner current loop within a single PWM period at typical 50-100 kHz switching frequencies, eliminating the need for an external analog PFC controller IC. The exposed-pad QFN-28 package keeps the thermal budget manageable in fan-less industrial power supplies.
Recommended
Isolated DC-DC Converters (Flyback / Half-Bridge / Full-Bridge)
For isolated DC-DC stages the DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL drives the primary-side MOSFETs with its 4 PWM generator pairs (8 outputs) supporting complementary, push-pull, and variable-phase modes required for phase-shift full-bridge and active-clamp flyback topologies. The DSP MAC executes the isolated voltage-mode and peak-current-mode control loops with sub-microsecond latency, while the on-chip 10-bit ADC samples the auxiliary winding voltage for primary-side regulation without an opto-coupler. The 16 KB of Flash accommodates state-machine-based soft-start, slope compensation, and synchronous-rectifier dead-time tuning, and the JTAG trace + run-time watch features allow non-intrusive debug of the power-stage switching behaviour. The 28-pin QFN footprint fits compact quarter-brick and sixteenth-brick form factors.
Recommended
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
In on-line UPS systems the DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL controls the PFC front-end and the inverter output stage from a single SMPS-optimised DSC, sharing the same high-speed PWM and fast-ADC peripherals. Its 40 MIPS DSP throughput computes the sinusoidal PWM (SPWM) or space-vector modulation (SVM) patterns for the inverter in real time, while the 4 analog comparators provide fast hardware over-current protection on the IGBT / MOSFET bridge. The 2 KB of RAM accommodates the lookup tables for the SPWM reference sine and the moving-average filters required for THD optimisation. UART and SPI interfaces link the GS404 to a host MCU or display board for system-level monitoring, and the JTAG trace pin lets the firmware engineer profile the inverter loop in real time.
Recommended
Digital Lighting Ballasts and LED Drivers
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL drives both resonant-inverter lighting ballasts (CCFL / fluorescent) and high-power LED drivers with its high-resolution PWM generators and fast ADC. In a resonant ballast the DSC closes the self-oscillating or fixed-frequency control loop that tracks the LCC resonant tank impedance, maximising lamp efficiency and lifetime. In an LED driver the GS404 implements constant-current control with PWM dimming, where the 4 Msps ADC samples the high-side current-sense amplifier and the DSP MAC computes the dimming ratio with sub-microsecond latency. The 16 KB Flash holds dimming curves, fault-logging state machines, and DALI / 0-10 V analogue interface firmware, while the 28-pin QFN footprint supports compact driver enclosures.
Recommended
Solar Micro-Inverters and String Inverters
For sub-500 W micro-inverters the DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL performs MPPT, islanding detection, grid-synchronisation, and the inverter control loop from a single device. Its 4 Msps ADC digitises the PV panel voltage and current for the incremental-conductance MPPT algorithm, while the 8 PWM outputs drive a HERIC / H-bridge inverter stage. The DSP MAC executes the grid-current PR (proportional-resonant) controller in real time with enough margin to also run the anti-islanding frequency-shift logic. Industrial-grade -40C to +125C operation and the 28-pin QFN package suit outdoor sealed micro-inverter enclosures, and the JTAG boundary-scan interface supports in-field programming during installer commissioning.
Recommended
Induction Heating Power Stages
Induction-heating cooktops and industrial induction heaters use the DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL to drive a resonant half-bridge or full-bridge inverter at 20-100 kHz with very precise zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) timing. The 8 PWM outputs generate the complementary gate-drive signals with programmable dead-band, the comparators sense the resonant tank voltage for ZVS detection, and the 4 Msps ADC digitises the resonant current for adaptive frequency tracking. The 40 MIPS DSP throughput executes the load-recognition and pan-detection algorithms in real time, while the -40C to +125C temperature range and the thermally enhanced QFN-28 package handle the harsh thermal environment under a cooktop glass surface.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33FJ16GS404-I/TL | DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-E/TL | DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50E/TL | DSPIC33FJ16GS402-I/MM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | QFN-28 (6x6 mm, 'TL') | QFN-28 (6x6 mm, 'TL') - same | QFN-28 (6x6 mm, 'TL') - same | QFN-28 (6x6 mm, 'TL') - same | QFN-28 (smaller footprint, 'MM' designator) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MIPS | 40 MIPS | 40 MIPS | 50 MIPS (+25%) | 40 MIPS |
| Program Flash | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| Data RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB |
| Temperature Grade | Industrial -40C to +125C ('E' suffix) | Industrial -40C to +85C ('I' suffix) | Industrial -40C to +125C ('E' suffix) - same | Industrial -40C to +125C ('E' suffix) - same | Industrial -40C to +85C ('I' suffix) |
Key Differentiators
- SMPS-optimised PWM with hardware cycle-by-cycle current limiting (vs DSPIC33FJ06GS101)
- 8 PWM outputs in a 28-pin QFN footprint (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS402-I/MM)
- 16 KB Flash + 2 KB RAM for state-machine and light DSP code (vs DSPIC33FJ06GS101)
- Industrial -40C to +125C temperature grade ('E') (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS404-I/TL)
Design Notes
The QFN-28 ('TL') package dissipates full-load heat through its underside exposed thermal pad; this pad must be soldered to a continuous, unbroken ground copper pour on the top layer of the PCB (recommended 1 sq inch minimum at 1 oz copper) for the device to deliver its 40 MIPS throughput reliably across the -40C to +125C industrial temperature range. Estimated: at VIN=3.3 V, 40 MIPS core current ~30 mA gives Pdiss ~0.10 W, well within QFN-28 theta-JA of approximately 30 C/W on a 1 sq inch 4-layer PCB (junction rise ~3 C above ambient). Do not rely on the package lead frames alone for thermal relief.
Place the 0.1 uF VDD decoupling capacitor as close as possible to the VDD pin (pin 7) and the AVDD pin (pin 28), with a wide, short trace to the VSS / AVSS pins (pins 6 and 27). Use a guarded-star analog/digital ground topology so that the noisy PWM return currents do not flow through the analog ground reference used by the ADC and comparators. The high-speed ADC inputs (AN0-AN12) must be routed with short, matched traces to the analog signal source and kept away from PWM switching traces to preserve 10-bit / 4 Msps conversion accuracy.
Common pitfalls: (1) floating MCLR (pin 26) - always tie to VDD through a 10 kohm pull-up and place a 100 nF cap to VDD for noise immunity; (2) incorrect VDD vs AVDD sequencing - AVSS and VSS must share the same ground reference and AVDD must be tied to VDD (or driven together) before the device exits reset; (3) forgetting that the PWM4H:PWM4L pair is remappable - on the 28-pin QFN not all PWM outputs are pinned out, so check the pinout table before assigning PWM channels; (4) omitting the JTAG TCK / TMS pull-ups - mandatory for reliable in-circuit programming in electrically noisy SMPS environments.
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404-E/TL integrates a 4 Msps 10-bit ADC whose sample-and-hold bandwidth is shared with the analog comparators. To preserve ADC accuracy in noisy SMPS environments, insert a 100 ohm isolation resistor between the high-current PWM traces and the analog input pins, and add a 1 nF + 10 nF RC anti-aliasing filter at each ANx pin. Reference Microchip application note AN1337 ('Techniques for SMPS Stability') for the recommended filter topology and the comparator-to-ADC interaction guidelines specific to the dsPIC33F 'GS' family.
Compliance Information
RoHS-compliant QFN-28 package, lead-free reflow profile per Microchip datasheet 70000318g. Not AEC-Q100 qualified; for automotive SMPS applications, contact Microchip for AEC-Q100-grade SMPS DSCs in the same family. Halogen-free status not explicitly confirmed in the provided data.
