CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Microchip Technology Inc. here today announced the formation of a new division that will develop a new class of chips called digital signal controllers (DSCs).
The first DSC, called the 16-bit dsPIC, is a single-chip solution that combines the advantages of 16-bit microcontrollers and digital signal processors (DSPs), said Sumit Mitra, vice president of the newly-created Digital Signal Controller Division at Microchip. Prior to his new role, Mitra was vice president of worldwide applications and systems for the company.
"The dsPIC family provides DSP functionality in the company's familiar PICmicro microcontroller design environment, offering an easy-to-implement solution to embedded engineers contemplating using DSPs," Mitra said.
Analysts were bullish about DSCs. Microchip itself estimates that the digital signal control market will grow from $100 million today to nearly $2 billion by 2006.
"Microchip Technology has coined a unique and descriptive term for a burgeoning market segment," added Will Strauss, president of Forward Concepts Co., Tempe, Ariz. "The early adopters in the digital signal control space are variable speed drives driven by power efficiency requirements in Europe and noise reduction requirements in Japan. This market will grow eight-fold in 2000 over 1999," he added.
Applications for these devices include industrial motors, appliances, Internet-connected appliances, automotive systems, digital answering machines, low-speed software modems, line card, terminals, vending machines, and other products.
Microchip's dsPIC devices are expected to range from $3 to $9 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Sampling will begin at the end of 2001. Volume production, product samples and related development tools are expected for early-2002.
