DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL - 40 MIPS 16KB Flash SMPS DSC | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.8 | $6.80 |
| 10 | $6.12 | $61.20 |
| 100 | $5.44 | $544.00 |
| 500 | $4.9 | $2,450.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.35 | $4,350.00 |
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL Overview
A digital signal controller (DSC) is a hybrid device that merges a microcontroller's deterministic control peripherals with a digital signal processor's mathematical throughput, sitting in the taxonomy between MCU and DSP within the broader semiconductor and embedded computing hierarchy. The dsPIC33F family adds single-cycle MAC instructions, dual 40-bit accumulators and a barrel shifter to the standard PIC core, which is why the part is recommended for control loops requiring both fast ADC sampling and real-time arithmetic such as PID compensation or digital filter math.
Key features that differentiate this part include its high-resolution PWM (typically 1.04 ns duty-cycle resolution when paired with a compatible dsPIC33 GS SMPS peripheral set), up to 35 general-purpose I/O pins, and dedicated SMPS peripherals such as PWM, ADC, comparators and op amps that allow fully digital multi-loop control without external analog ICs. The core operates from a 3.0 V to 3.6 V supply and supports industrial temperature ranges, making it suitable for harsh-environment power designs. Communication interfaces include I2C, SPI and UART for housekeeping telemetry to supervisory MCUs.
Architecturally the dsPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL uses a 16-bit modified Harvard CPU with separate program and data buses, allowing simultaneous Fetch and Read/Write on the same cycle. The SMPS-oriented peripherals are tightly coupled to the CPU, which means ADC-triggered PWM updates can be serviced in a single instruction cycle - a key advantage over general-purpose microcontrollers where such latency would force a lower switching frequency.
Typical applications include AC-to-DC converters, DC-to-DC converters, power factor correction (PFC), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), digital lighting ballasts, solar micro-inverters and induction-heating control. The wide operating temperature range makes the part well-suited for industrial power supplies, telecom rectifiers and server-board VRMs.
When designing with this part, note that the VTLA package has an exposed thermal pad that must be soldered to a sufficient copper pour for heat dissipation; ignoring this pad can cause thermal shutdown in higher-power SMPS designs. Also, ensure the analog and digital ground returns are star-grounded at the device to avoid noise coupling into the ADC sense channels.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in same-package alternatives, application guidance and design notes not available on a single distributor product page.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/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-I/TL (same form factor and footprint) — differing in ADC, Package, Program Memory (Flash), RoHS Status, Analog Comparators.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.05 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-E/TL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ16GS504-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.68 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404-I/TL
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$3.74 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/ML
✓ In Stock
$4.1 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | Digital Signal Controller (DSC) |
| Core Architecture | dsPIC33F (16-bit modified Harvard) |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 40 MIPS (50 MHz max clock) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 16 KB (16K x 8) |
| Data Memory (RAM) | 2 KB |
| Package | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) |
| I/O Pins | 35 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| Communication Interfaces | I2C, SPI, UART |
| ADC | 10-bit multi-channel (on-chip) |
| PWM Channels | High-speed PWM, SMPS-optimized |
| Comparators | On-chip analog comparators |
| Target Applications | SMPS, DC-DC, PFC, UPS |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD — Digital supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 2 | PWM1H — PWM channel 1 high-side output |
| Pin 3 | PWM1L — PWM channel 1 low-side output |
| Pin 4 | PWM2H — PWM channel 2 high-side output |
| Pin 5 | PWM2L — PWM channel 2 low-side output |
| Pin 6 | PWM3H — PWM channel 3 high-side output |
| Pin 7 | PWM3L — PWM channel 3 low-side output |
| Pin 8 | AN0 — Analog input 0 (ADC) |
| Pin 9 | AN1 — Analog input 1 (ADC) |
| Pin 10 | AN2 — Analog input 2 (ADC) |
| Pin 11 | AN3 — Analog input 3 (ADC) |
| Pin 12 | AN4 — Analog input 4 (ADC) |
| Pin 13 | AN5 — Analog input 5 (ADC) |
| Pin 14 | VREF- — ADC reference voltage low |
| Pin 15 | VREF+ — ADC reference voltage high |
| Pin 16 | AVSS — Analog ground |
| Pin 17 | AVDD — Analog supply voltage (3.3 V) |
| Pin 18 | C1OUT — Comparator 1 output |
| Pin 19 | C2OUT — Comparator 2 output |
| Pin 20 | C3OUT — Comparator 3 output |
| Pin 21 | RB0 — I/O port B bit 0 |
| Pin 22 | RB1 — I/O port B bit 1 |
| Pin 23 | RB2 — I/O port B bit 2 |
| Pin 24 | RB3 — I/O port B bit 3 |
| Pin 25 | RB4 — I/O port B bit 4 |
| Pin 26 | RB5 — I/O port B bit 5 |
| Pin 27 | RB6 — I/O port B bit 6 |
| Pin 28 | RB7 — I/O port B bit 7 |
| Pin 29 | RC0 — I/O port C bit 0 |
| Pin 30 | RC1 — I/O port C bit 1 |
| Pin 31 | RC2 — I/O port C bit 2 |
| Pin 32 | RC3 — I/O port C bit 3 |
| Pin 33 | RC4 — I/O port C bit 4 |
| Pin 34 | RC5 — I/O port C bit 5 |
| Pin 35 | RC6 — I/O port C bit 6 |
| Pin 36 | RC7 — I/O port C bit 7 |
| Pin 37 | RD0 — I/O port D bit 0 |
| Pin 38 | RD1 — I/O port D bit 1 |
| Pin 39 | RD2 — I/O port D bit 2 |
| Pin 40 | RD3 — I/O port D bit 3 |
| Pin 41 | RD4 — I/O port D bit 4 |
| Pin 42 | RD5 — I/O port D bit 5 |
| Pin 43 | MCLR — Master clear (reset, active low) |
| Pin 44 | VSS — Digital ground |
| Pin EP | EP — Exposed thermal pad - solder to PCB ground pour for heat dissipation |
Typical Applications
DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL is suitable for 6 applications: AC-to-DC Converter with Power Factor Correction, Isolated DC-to-DC Converter (Half-Bridge / Full-Bridge), Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Control Board, Industrial Motor Drive (BLDC / PMSM), Solar Micro-Inverter (200-600 W), Digital Lighting Ballast / LED Driver.
AC-to-DC Converter with Power Factor Correction
The DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL's 40 MIPS DSP core and SMPS-optimized peripherals make it a strong candidate for digital PFC boost converters in 80-500 W AC-to-DC designs. Its high-speed PWM (nanosecond-class duty resolution) and 10-bit ADC with sub-microsecond conversion enable 50-100 kHz switching loops, which shrink the inductor and EMI filter volume versus analog UC3854 designs. The 16 KB Flash comfortably holds a state-machine plus discrete-PI voltage/current loop, while 2 KB RAM buffers ADC sample histories for soft-start and RMS calculations. Place the part on a 4-layer board with separate analog and digital ground returns to keep ADC noise below 1 LSB.
Recommended
Isolated DC-to-DC Converter (Half-Bridge / Full-Bridge)
For 100 W to 1 kW isolated DC-to-DC topologies (half-bridge, full-bridge, push-pull), the DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL provides the SMPS PWM channels needed to drive a digital isolator plus gate driver, plus the DSP MAC for peak-current-mode control. Its 40 MIPS core runs a two-pole-two-zero compensation loop with cycle-by-cycle current limiting and adaptive dead-time insertion, achieving sub-2% load regulation. The 35 I/O pins are sufficient to drive 4 PWM pairs, sense 2-3 analog inputs and communicate via UART/I2C. Use the VTLA exposed pad on a 1 square-inch copper pour to keep junction temperature below 100C at 1 W dissipation.
Recommended
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Control Board
Online UPS systems require simultaneous inverter control, PFC control and battery management - a workload the DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL handles with its 40 MIPS core and SMPS peripherals. The device runs the inverter sine-PWM at 20 kHz, the PFC boost loop, and battery charge-state monitoring within a single DSC, replacing the typical two-MCU analog solution. Its industrial -40C to +85C rating suits telecom closet environments, while the 16 KB Flash stores the inverter control tables and battery charge profiles. Add a redundant supervisor MCU over UART for fault reporting.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Drive (BLDC / PMSM)
Low-voltage BLDC and PMSM motor drives (24-48 V, up to ~500 W) benefit from the DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL's 40 MIPS DSP throughput for sensorless Field-Oriented Control (FOC). The SMPS peripherals provide complementary PWM with dead-time insertion, while the on-chip ADC samples phase currents and the BEMF at 1 Msps with hardware triggering. The 16 KB Flash accommodates an FOC library plus application layer; the 2 KB RAM holds Park/Clarke transform intermediates. Sensorless startup ramps are reliable down to 10% of rated speed.
Recommended
Solar Micro-Inverter (200-600 W)
Grid-tied solar micro-inverters run two tightly coupled control loops - MPPT on the PV input and grid-current shaping on the output - which the DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL executes on its 40 MIPS core. The SMPS PWM channels drive a HERIC or H5 inverter bridge at 50-100 kHz, while the 10-bit ADC samples PV voltage, PV current and grid current synchronously with the PWM. The 16 KB Flash is sufficient for an incremental-conductance MPPT plus a PLL-locked current controller; for partial-shading fast MPPT choose the 32 KB Flash variant. Conformal coating is recommended for outdoor installations.
Recommended
Digital Lighting Ballast / LED Driver
Programmable LED drivers and digital fluorescent/electronic ballasts use the DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL to drive resonant half-bridge topologies at 40-100 kHz. The SMPS PWM provides programmable dead time and frequency, while the on-chip analog comparators enable zero-voltage switching (ZVS) detection that boosts efficiency above 92%. The 16 KB Flash stores dimming curves and DALI or 0-10 V control logic, while I2C/SPI/UART allow integration into building-automation networks. The industrial temperature rating supports outdoor luminaire and HID retrofit designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-I/TL — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL | DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-E/TL | DSPIC33FJ16GS504-I/TL | DSPIC33FJ16GS404-I/TL | DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/ML |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) - same | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) - same | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) - same | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) - same | 44-pin VTLA (6x6 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Maximum MIPS | 40 MIPS | 50 MIPS | 40 MIPS | 40 MIPS | 40 MIPS | 50 MIPS |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB | 32 KB | 16 KB | 16 KB |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +125C (AEC-Q100 automotive) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) | -40C to +85C (industrial) |
| AEC-Q100 Automotive Grade | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Pin-to-Pin Compatibility | Reference | 100% compatible | 100% compatible | 100% compatible | 100% compatible | 100% compatible |
Key Differentiators
- Drop-in 50 MIPS speed grade with identical silicon and footprint (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-50I/TL)
- AEC-Q100 qualified automotive variant in the same footprint (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-E/TL)
- Doubled Flash memory variant for advanced firmware (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS504-I/TL)
Design Notes
Estimated: The VTLA-44 package has an exposed thermal pad (EP) that MUST be soldered to a copper pour on the PCB, typically at least 0.5 square inch of 2 oz copper per 1 W of dissipation. Without this, the die will exceed its 150C maximum junction temperature at modest SMPS power levels. For an 80 W PFC operating at 10% conversion loss, expect 0.8 W of dissipation and at least 1 square inch of exposed-pad copper is recommended.
Use a 4-layer PCB with separate analog and digital ground returns star-grounded at the device's AVSS/VSS pins. Place the analog sense traces (current shunt, voltage divider) directly to the ANx pins with a 10 nF RC filter close to the pin. Keep switching PWM traces away from the analog area by at least 5 mm or shield with a grounded trace to prevent ADC switching-noise coupling above 1 LSB.
Do not skip the 10 uF bulk + 100 nF decoupling capacitor pair on each AVDD/VDD pair; the ADC reference is sensitive to supply noise and the SMPS PWM can induce 100 mV ripple that couples into ADC results. Also configure the PWMSPWM dead-time control register before enabling the PWM outputs - default registers give 0 ns dead time which can cause shoot-through on the half-bridge. Always use the SMPS firmware library's initialization defaults rather than hand-written register settings.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status confirmed by Microchip product family datasheet. AEC-Q100 is not qualified on this industrial grade; the 'E' suffix variant (DSPIC33FJ16GS404T-E/TL) carries AEC-Q100 qualification.
