DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL - 50 MIPS 16KB Flash SMPS DSC | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $7.8 | $7.80 |
| 10 | $7.02 | $70.20 |
| 100 | $6.24 | $624.00 |
| 500 | $5.62 | $2,810.00 |
| 1,000 | $5.05 | $5,050.00 |
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL Overview
A Digital Signal Controller (DSC) is a hybrid architecture that combines a microcontroller's deterministic interrupt handling and peripheral set with a DSP's MAC (multiply-accumulate) engine for high-speed numerical computation. In the broader taxonomy, the dsPIC33F sits between PIC24F microcontrollers and PIC32 32-bit MCUs, occupying the niche where 16-bit processing is enough for control loops but DSP throughput is needed for filter math, modulation, and reference transformations. The 33F SMPS sub-family specifically targets digital power, with peripherals tuned for current/voltage sampling and high-resolution switching.
Key features include 50 MIPS execution from a 40 MHz internal oscillator (with 4x PLL), four 10-bit ADC modules suited for multi-loop SMPS feedback, dedicated high-speed PWM channels with programmable dead time and fault inputs, and a 16-bit wide data path with DSP-oriented MAC instructions. The device operates from a single 3.0-3.6 V supply and is rated for the -40C to +85C industrial temperature range, making it suitable for harsh-environment power systems.
The architecture pairs a modified Harvard bus with a single-cycle MAC and barrel shifter, enabling closed-loop control loops such as PFC, LLC, and phase-shifted full-bridge converters to be implemented without an external DSP. The Flash-accelerated instruction prefetch and 24-bit instruction word keep interrupt latency low while sustaining 50 MIPS throughput, which is critical when the controller must service high-frequency current-mode control loops in digital power converters.
Typical applications include digitally controlled SMPS (PFC, LLC, full-bridge), solar micro-inverters, LED drivers with constant-current regulation, UPS systems, induction-heating controllers, and motor-control front ends. The integrated SMPS-optimized peripherals reduce external component count, allowing compact, high-efficiency digital power designs.
When designing with this device, allocate sufficient decoupling on AVDD/DVDD pins and follow the manufacturer's layout note for the exposed thermal pad - the pad must be soldered to a copper pour for proper heat dissipation and electrical ground reference. Programming is supported via the ICD 3 / PICkit 3 toolchain and the MPLAB X IDE.
This page consolidates distributor pricing, parametric comparison with same-family drop-in alternatives, and PCB layout guidance not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-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 DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Operating Temperature, ADC, Mounting Type, RoHS Status.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/ML
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ32GS406-I/PT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ16GS402-50I/SP
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$2.85 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ06GS101A-I/SO
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.48 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Architecture | dsPIC33F (16-bit DSC with DSP engine) |
| Max CPU Speed | 50 MIPS (40 MHz input, 4x PLL) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (16K x 24 bits) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 2 KB (2K x 16 bits) |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (Industrial) |
| Package | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) with exposed thermal pad |
| ADC | 10-bit, multi-channel (SMPS-optimized) |
| PWM Outputs | High-speed PWM with programmable dead time and fault inputs |
| Instruction Set | 16-bit MCU + DSP (MAC, barrel shifter) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (VTLA) |
| Packaging | Tube (TL suffix) |
| JESD-30 Package Code | S-PQCC-N44 (per alternate QFN-style variant) |
| RoHS Status | ROHS3 Compliant |
| Peripheral Family | SMPS-optimized (PWM/ADC for digital power) |
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RP5/PWM4H/PMD5/RB5 — Remappable I/O / PWM4H output / port B |
| Pin 2 | RP6/PWM4L/PMD6/RB6 — Remappable I/O / PWM4L output / port B |
| Pin 3 | RP7/PWM5H/PMD7/RB7 — Remappable I/O / PWM5H output / port B |
| Pin 4 | RP8/PWM5L/PMD8/RB8 — Remappable I/O / PWM5L output / port B |
| Pin 5 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 6 | RP9/PWM6H/PMD9/RB9 — Remappable I/O / PWM6H output / port B |
| Pin 7 | RP10/PWM6L/PMD10/RB10 — Remappable I/O / PWM6L output / port B |
| Pin 8 | RP11/PWM7H/PMD11/RB11 — Remappable I/O / PWM7H output / port B |
| Pin 9 | RP12/PWM7L/PMD12/RB12 — Remappable I/O / PWM7L output / port B |
| Pin 10 | RP13/PWM8H/PMD13/RB13 — Remappable I/O / PWM8H output / port B |
| Pin 11 | RP14/PWM8L/PMD14/RB14 — Remappable I/O / PWM8L output / port B |
| Pin 12 | VDD — Digital supply voltage (3.0-3.6 V) |
| Pin 13 | OSC1/RA0 — External oscillator input / port A |
| Pin 14 | OSC2/RA1 — External oscillator output / port A |
| Pin 15 | RA2 — Port A I/O |
| Pin 16 | RA3 — Port A I/O |
| Pin 17 | RA4 — Port A I/O |
| Pin 18 | MCLR — Master clear (reset) input |
| Pin 19 | RA7 — Port A I/O |
| Pin 20 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 21 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage (3.0-3.6 V) |
| Pin 22 | AN0/RA8 — Analog input 0 / port A |
| Pin 23 | AN1/RA9 — Analog input 1 / port A |
| Pin 24 | AN2/RA10 — Analog input 2 / port A |
| Pin 25 | AN3/RA11 — Analog input 3 / port A |
| Pin 26 | AN4/RB0 — Analog input 4 / port B |
| Pin 27 | AN5/RB1 — Analog input 5 / port B |
| Pin 28 | AN6/RB2 — Analog input 6 / port B |
| Pin 29 | AN7/RB3 — Analog input 7 / port B |
| Pin 30 | AN8/RB4 — Analog input 8 / port B |
| Pin 31 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin 32 | VDD — Digital supply voltage (3.0-3.6 V) |
| Pin 33 | RP0/PWM1H/PMD0/RB0 — Remappable I/O / PWM1H output / port B |
| Pin 34 | RP1/PWM1L/PMD1/RB1 — Remappable I/O / PWM1L output / port B |
| Pin 35 | RP2/PWM2H/PMD2/RB2 — Remappable I/O / PWM2H output / port B |
| Pin 36 | RP3/PWM2L/PMD3/RB3 — Remappable I/O / PWM2L output / port B |
| Pin 37 | RP4/PWM3H/PMD4/RB4 — Remappable I/O / PWM3H output / port B |
| Pin 38 | FLTA1 — PWM fault input A |
| Pin 39 | FLTB1 — PWM fault input B |
| Pin 40 | PWM3L/PMD15/RC15 — PWM3L output / port C |
| Pin 41 | PGEC1/AN15 — ICSP clock / analog input 15 |
| Pin 42 | PGED1/AN14 — ICSP data / analog input 14 |
| Pin 43 | PWM2H/RC13 — PWM2H output / port C |
| Pin 44 | PWM1H/RC12 — PWM1H output / port C |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL is suitable for 7 applications: Power Factor Correction (PFC) Controller, LLC Resonant Converter Primary Controller, Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge DC-DC Converter, Solar Micro-Inverter DSP Controller, High-Brightness LED Driver with Constant Current, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Digital Control, Induction Heating Cooktop Controller.
Power Factor Correction (PFC) Controller
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL is well suited for digital PFC front-end controllers in 500 W to 2 kW AC/DC supplies, where the 50 MIPS core executes average-current-mode control and adaptive THD algorithms in real time. The 10-bit ADC samples input voltage, input current, and output voltage synchronously to the PWM carrier, allowing the controller to maintain a near-unity power factor while keeping the AC current THD below 5%. The dedicated PWM channels with programmable dead time drive the boost-switching FET directly, eliminating external analog PWM ICs. Compared with an analog UCC28180 PFC solution, the dsPIC33F approach lets the designer tune the loop in firmware and add telemetry (input power, line frequency, THD) without extra analog circuitry.
Recommended
LLC Resonant Converter Primary Controller
In an LLC resonant converter for TV or server power supplies, the DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL drives the half-bridge primary FETs at 100-300 kHz with frequency modulation, while sampling the resonant tank current and the secondary-side feedback to maintain regulation. The 50 MIPS budget supports the 50-100 kHz control loop with margin for burst-mode operation and soft-start sequencing. Its 16 KB Flash holds the state-machine firmware plus a calibration table for the LLC gain curve. Engineers building high-density server PSUs typically pair this DSC with a synchronous-rectifier driver on the secondary side and use the dsPIC's PWM fault input to implement fast primary-side over-current protection.
Recommended
Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge DC-DC Converter
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL implements phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB) control at 50-200 kHz in telecom and industrial DC-DC bricks, where four PWM channels drive the four primary FETs with adjustable phase shift to regulate output voltage via duty-cycle control. The on-chip high-speed ADC samples the transformer primary current (for current-mode control) and the secondary-side output voltage simultaneously, while a comparator-based fast-protection path triggers cycle-by-cycle current limiting in hardware. Its 16 KB Flash accommodates the small-signal model lookup tables used to compensate the converter across line and load. Designers typically use the dsPIC's QEI or input-capture modules to synchronize to an external clock when paralleling multiple PSFB modules.
Recommended
Solar Micro-Inverter DSP Controller
In a 250-400 W grid-tied solar micro-inverter, the DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL acts as the digital control engine for MPPT, grid-current shaping, and anti-islanding protection. The DSP MAC unit runs the MPPT algorithm (perturb-and-observe or incremental conductance) at a 1 kHz update rate, while the PWM channels shape the LCL-filter output current to match the grid voltage with <3% THD. The 50 MIPS budget allows the controller to also implement the grid-synchronization PLL in software, removing an external PLL IC. With 16 KB Flash, the device can store both the MPPT and grid-follow firmware plus an OEM calibration table for module-specific parameters.
Recommended
High-Brightness LED Driver with Constant Current
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL controls a high-brightness LED driver by modulating a buck or boost converter that regulates LED string current within 1-2% accuracy over the full dimming range. The 10-bit ADC samples both the LED current (via a sense resistor) and the input voltage, while the PWM output drives the switching FET and a separate low-frequency PWM channel handles analog or PWM dimming. The 50 MIPS core supports a closed-loop PI controller that updates every PWM cycle, eliminating visible flicker even at deep dimming levels. The 16 KB Flash holds thermal-foldback curves and DMX/RDM or DALI protocol stacks for stage and architectural lighting fixtures.
Recommended
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Digital Control
In a double-conversion online UPS, the DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL manages the rectifier/inverter control loops, battery-charge regulation, and AC-output voltage regulation within a single chip. The DSP MAC executes the inverter output-voltage PI controller and the SPWM waveform generator at 10-20 kHz switching, while the ADC samples the inverter output for closed-loop regulation. The 50 MIPS budget also leaves headroom for a state machine that handles grid/mains transfer synchronization and battery health monitoring. With 16 KB Flash and 2 KB RAM, the firmware includes the inverter state-machine, charger state-of-charge estimation, and LCD display driver.
Recommended
Induction Heating Cooktop Controller
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL drives the resonant inverter in an induction cooktop at 20-50 kHz, regulating pan temperature via a closed-loop controller that reads temperature sensor data and adjusts switching frequency. The DSP engine performs the zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) detection and frequency-tracking algorithm, ensuring the LCL tank stays at resonance across pan-load changes. Its 16 KB Flash holds the pan-detection logic, foreign-object detection (FOD) algorithms, and multi-level power selection state machine. Compared to dedicated analog resonant controllers, the dsPIC33F approach enables software-upgradeable cooktop features (grill mode, keep-warm curves) without silicon changes.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/ML | DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/PT | DSPIC33FJ32GS406-I/PT | DSPIC33FJ16GS402-50I/SP | DSPIC33FJ06GS101A-I/SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 44-VTLA (6x6 mm) with exposed pad | 44-QFN (8x8 mm) | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 44-TQFP (10x10 mm) | 18-SOIC |
| Core / Architecture | dsPIC33F DSC (16-bit MCU + DSP) | dsPIC33F DSC (same) | dsPIC33F DSC (same) | dsPIC33F DSC (same) | dsPIC33F DSC (same) | dsPIC33F DSC (same) |
| Max CPU Speed | 50 MIPS | 50 MIPS | 50 MIPS | 50 MIPS | 50 MIPS | 40 MIPS |
| Flash Program Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 6 KB |
| RAM | 2 KB | 2 KB | 2 KB | 4 KB | 2 KB | 1 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0-3.6 V | 3.0-3.6 V | 3.0-3.6 V | 3.0-3.6 V | 3.0-3.6 V | 3.0-3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C |
| Application Focus | SMPS / digital power | SMPS / digital power | SMPS / digital power | SMPS / digital power | SMPS / digital power | SMPS / digital power |
| PWM Channels | 8 (4 complementary pairs) | 8 (4 complementary pairs) | 8 (4 complementary pairs) | 12 (6 complementary pairs) | 6 (3 complementary pairs) | 4 (2 complementary pairs) |
Key Differentiators
- SMPS-tuned peripheral set (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS402-50I/SP)
- Compact VTLA footprint with exposed thermal pad (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS404-50I/PT)
- 16 KB Flash / 2 KB RAM balance (vs DSPIC33FJ32GS406-I/PT)
Design Notes
Estimated: the 44-pin VTLA package exposes a thermal pad on the underside that must be soldered to a copper pour on the PCB - the datasheet package drawing specifies this pad as the primary heat-dissipation path. Recommended: place a 4x4 via array (0.3 mm drill, 0.6 mm pad) under the thermal pad connecting to an internal ground plane. Without proper pad soldering, junction-to-ambient thermal resistance increases significantly and the device may not meet its -40C to +85C specification in enclosed SMPS designs.
Estimated: provide separate analog and digital ground planes that join at a single point near the device's AVSS/AGND pin. Place 100 nF ceramic decoupling capacitors on every AVDD pin within 2 mm of the pin, plus a bulk 4.7 uF ceramic on each AVDD/VDD pair. The SMPS-tuned ADCs are sensitive to high-frequency digital switching noise; without adequate decoupling, ADC readings can show 5-10 LSB error that corrupts current-mode control loops.
Estimated: when migrating from the /PT (TQFP) variant to the /TL (VTLA), verify that the oscillator circuit's stray capacitance does not exceed 10 pF - the VTLA's leadless pads introduce less parasitic capacitance than TQFP leads, which can shift the crystal oscillator's load-capacitance calculation. Use the dsPIC33F SMPS family errata document (DS-80369 or latest) to check for any PLL or PWM module issues specific to the silicon revision (A2 or A3) on the /TL part. Program the configuration bits to enable the JTAG-disabled mode in production to prevent accidental boundary-scan entry during in-field faults.
Estimated: route PWM outputs to the switching FET gates with traces shorter than 25 mm and a 33 ohm series damping resistor to suppress ringing. Keep ADC analog traces (AN0-AN15) routed on a different layer from the PWM traces, separated by a ground plane, to avoid capacitive coupling of high-dV/dt switching edges into the analog sampling window. If the design uses external current-sense transformers, place the sense resistors in the source leg of the FET and route the differential signal pair directly to two adjacent analog input pins for the ADC's differential sample-and-hold.
Compliance Information
ROHS3 compliant per AIChiplink and ics-embedded listings. AEC-Q100 not qualified - for automotive SMPS designs use the dsPIC33FJ16GS504 family instead. Halogen-free status not explicitly confirmed in verified web data - marked as unknown.
