DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR - 16-bit DSC 50MIPS 64KB Flash | Microchip
MPN: DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6.1 | $6.10 |
| 10 | $5.65 | $56.50 |
| 100 | $5.15 | $515.00 |
| 500 | $4.8 | $2,400.00 |
| 1,000 | $4.45 | $4,450.00 |
DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR Overview
A digital signal controller combines the deterministic control flow of a microcontroller with the mathematical throughput of a DSP core. In the power-management hierarchy, the dsPIC33FJ family sits between general-purpose MCUs and dedicated DSPs, making it the de-facto standard for embedded switch-mode power conversion where one device must run both the real-time control loop and the supervisory firmware.
Key features include a 16-bit dsPIC33F core clocked at up to 50 MHz (50 MIPS), dedicated high-speed SMPS PWM modules with sub-nanosecond-resolution duty-cycle control, a high-speed 10-bit ADC, and integrated analog comparators targeted at digital power topologies. The device also provides a Quadrature Encoder Interface (QEI), 4 DMA channels, and multiple serial ports (UART/SPI/I2C) for system communication.
Technically, the GS series separates itself from the general-purpose GP/MC variants by integrating power-conversion peripherals: phase-shifted PWM outputs, programmable dead-time, fault inputs with cycle-by-cycle current limiting, and fast analog comparators that can trip the PWM hardware without CPU intervention. This architecture enables closed-loop buck, boost, PFC, and LLC control loops executing at hundreds of kHz switching frequencies.
Typical applications include interleaved power-factor-correction (PFC) stages, digitally controlled DC-DC converters, solar micro-inverters, battery chargers, and LED drivers. Microchip's own interleaved PFC reference design is built on this controller family.
Design considerations: in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) uses PGECx/PGEDx pin pairs; Microchip recommends keeping ICSP traces short. Place decoupling capacitors on all VDD/VDDCORE pins and observe the 3.0V-3.6V single-supply range.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, same-family drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR — 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 DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, Packaging, Special Peripherals, Core, Operating Temperature Range.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50E/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ32GS406-50I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.44 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ32GS406-50E/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ16GS406-50I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
DSPIC33FJ64GS606-50I/MR
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified✓ In Stock
$4.6 / Unit
View Datasheet →DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Core Processor | dsPIC33F 16-bit DSC |
| Core Size | 16-bit |
| Max Clock Frequency | 50 MHz |
| Performance (MIPS) | 50 MIPS |
| Program Memory Size | 64KB (64K x 8) FLASH |
| RAM Size | 8KB |
| Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V to 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I grade) |
| Package | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm), PQCC64 surface mount |
| DMA Channels | 4 |
| Timers | 7 |
| Special Peripherals | SMPS High-Speed PWM, QEI, comparators |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Packaging | Tube |
| Factory Pack Quantity | 40 |
| Status | In Production |
DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR 64-vqfn (9x9 mm), pqcc64 surface mount Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR (64-vqfn (9x9 mm), pqcc64 surface mount 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 DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR is suitable for 6 applications: Interleaved Power Factor Correction (PFC), Digitally Controlled DC-DC Converters, Solar Micro-Inverters, Battery Chargers and Battery Management, LED Drivers and Lighting Power, Industrial Motor Control Drives.
Interleaved Power Factor Correction (PFC)
The DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR is Microchip's reference controller for interleaved PFC designs, and its dedicated SMPS PWM modules deliver phase-shifted outputs with high-resolution duty-cycle control and programmable dead-time. The integrated fast analog comparators implement cycle-by-cycle overcurrent limiting in hardware, tripping the PWM without CPU latency, while the high-speed 10-bit ADC samples inductor current and bus voltage synchronously with the PWM period. At 50 MIPS, the core executes the average-current-mode control loop plus power-management supervisory code at switching frequencies of several hundred kHz, making it ideal for server and telecom front ends.
Recommended
Digitally Controlled DC-DC Converters
In isolated and non-isolated DC-DC converters (buck, boost, half-bridge, LLC), the GS406's SMPS PWM peripherals generate complementary outputs with sub-cycle duty resolution, while the comparator/Fault architecture provides hardware overcurrent protection critical for converter reliability. The 4-channel DMA streams ADC conversion results to RAM without core overhead, preserving 50 MIPS capacity for the compensation filter and housekeeping tasks. Firmware-based control enables adaptive tuning, soft-start sequencing, and PMBus-style telemetry that analog controllers cannot offer, at a 3.0V-3.6V single-supply operating point.
Recommended
Solar Micro-Inverters
Micro-inverters require simultaneous MPPT control of the PV panel input and grid-synchronized inverter output. The GS406 handles both: the high-speed ADC samples panel voltage/current for the MPPT algorithm while the SMPS PWM drives the boost stage, and additional PWM channels with dead-time control manage the grid-side bridge. The 64KB FLASH accommodates MPPT, grid synchronization (PLL), anti-islanding, and safety-compliance firmware with headroom for future feature updates. The QEI and comparator peripherals support auxiliary functions, and the -40C to +85C industrial grade matches rooftop enclosure environments.
Recommended
Battery Chargers and Battery Management
Multi-chemistry chargers benefit from the GS406's combination of precision analog peripherals and processing headroom. The 10-bit ADC monitors pack voltage, current, and temperature across multiple channels using DMA-scheduled sampling, while the SMPS PWM regulates the charging power stage with CC/CV profiles implemented in firmware. Hardware comparators provide independent overcurrent/overvoltage protection layers that remain active even if firmware faults. The 50 MIPS core runs state machines for Li-ion, lead-acid, or NiMH algorithms plus CAN/UART communication to the host system, all within the 8KB RAM budget.
Recommended
LED Drivers and Lighting Power
High-power and architectural LED drivers use the GS406's PWM resolution to achieve flicker-free dimming: the high-speed PWM supports both switching-regulation of the LED current and independent dimming channels with fine granularity. Firmware dimming curves (dali/0-10V/DMX emulation over UART) coexist with the power loop on the single 50 MIPS core. The comparator-based cycle-by-cycle current limit protects the output stage against LED string short circuits. Industrial temperature rating and the compact 9x9 mm VQFN suit enclosed driver housings where board area and thermal margins are constrained.
Recommended
Industrial Motor Control Drives
The integrated Quadrature Encoder Interface reads position feedback from servo motors directly, while the high-speed PWM with programmable dead-time drives three-phase inverter bridges for BLDC, PMSM, and ACIM control. The 50 MIPS core executes field-oriented control (FOC) loops at sufficient bandwidth, and the high-speed ADC captures phase currents synchronized to the PWM center to minimize switching noise in the samples. Four DMA channels offload data movement, and multiple UART/SPI/I2C ports handle Modbus or host command interfaces, making the GS406 a compact single-chip drive controller for industrial automation.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50I/MR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50E/MR | DSPIC33FJ32GS406-50I/MR | DSPIC33FJ16GS406-50I/MR | DSPIC33FJ64GS606-50I/MR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) MR | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) - same | 64-VQFN (9x9 mm) - same |
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Program FLASH | 64KB | 64KB | 32KB | 16KB | 64KB |
| Performance | 50 MIPS @ 50 MHz | 50 MIPS | 50 MIPS | 50 MIPS | 50 MIPS |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +125C (E) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) | -40C to +85C (I) |
| SMPS High-Speed PWM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (different mapping) |
| DMA Channels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Key Differentiators
- Dedicated SMPS PWM subsystem (vs DSPIC33FJ64GP206T-I/PT)
- Extended-temperature drop-in option (vs DSPIC33FJ64GS406-50E/MR)
- Memory scalability on one footprint (vs DSPIC33FJ16GS406-50I/MR)
- Honest trade-off: RAM ceiling (vs DSPIC33FJ64GS608-50I/PT)
Design Notes
Keep ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming) trace lengths between the programming connector and the PGECx/PGEDx pin pair as short as possible - this is an explicit Microchip datasheet recommendation for the GS family. Place a 0.1uF ceramic decoupling capacitor at every VDD pin and the VDDCORE pin, within 2mm of each ball/pad, plus bulk 4.7uF-10uF near the supply entry. Ensure the exposed pad of the 64-VQFN is soldered to a grounded thermal pad array for both thermal and grounding integrity.
The GS-series SMPS PWM modules have dedicated fault and current-limit inputs; do not rely solely on firmware-based protection - configure the comparator-to-PWM hardware trip path for cycle-by-cycle overcurrent, since firmware response adds microseconds of latency that can destroy power stages at high switching frequencies. Also note the 3.0V-3.6V single supply: the device is NOT 5V tolerant on all pins, so level-shift any 5V signal sources before connecting to port pins.
Route high-speed PWM outputs to gate drivers away from the high-speed ADC input traces; synchronous sampling with the PWM period minimizes switching-noise pickup, but adjacent routing can still couple dv/dt transients into analog channels. Use a solid ground plane under the controller with no digital return currents crossing the analog sensing traces. Estimated: keeping ADC sense traces under 30 mm and referenced to a quiet ground island typically keeps sample noise within the 10-bit converter's 1 LSB tolerance.
Estimated: at 50 MHz operation the core current draw is in the tens-of-milliamps range; budget the 3.3V rail accordingly and verify with the datasheet electrical characteristics table for your exact clock configuration. When using the internal regulator, do not omit the VDDCORE capacitor specified in the datasheet - omitting it causes core-rail instability and erratic resets, a frequently reported field failure mode.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance indicated by distributor listings (digchip, DigiKey). REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals declarations should be confirmed via Microchip environmental documentation.
