Microchip Technology AC164320

Overview

AC164320 from Microchip Technology is a demonstration board designed for the dsPIC30F6014A digital signal controller, supporting motor control and general-purpose embedded applications with 144 KB Flash, 8 KB RAM, 68 I/O pins, and dual CAN interfaces. It enables rapid evaluation of high-performance 30 MIPS DSC operation in industrial motor drives and power conversion systems.

For engineers reviewing the AC164320 datasheet, AC164320 pinout, AC164320 application, or AC164320 equivalent, this board provides hands-on validation of dsPIC30F6014A peripheral integration-including dual CAN transceivers, 16-channel 10-bit ADC, eight PWM modules, and quadrature encoder interface-within a production-representative hardware environment.

Technical Context

The AC164320 implements a complete dsPIC30F6014A-based evaluation platform with on-board 3.3V LDO regulation, isolated CAN transceivers (MCP2551), USB-to-UART bridge (FT232RL), and configurable I/O headers. It supports real-time debugging via ICSP™ and MPLAB® ICD 2/3 connectivity.

Board-level features include jumper-selectable oscillator options (4 MHz crystal or external clock), LED indicators for CAN activity and power status, test points for all critical signals, and solder pads for optional op-amp feedback networks used in current-sense amplification.

Key Specifications

Availability

AC164320 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor control development, industrial automation prototyping, and embedded power conversion design requiring stable component supply and full toolchain compatibility.

Supply support for AC164320 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Microchip Technology is a leading semiconductor manufacturer specializing in microcontrollers, analog devices, and development tools for embedded control applications.

The AC164320 belongs to Microchip's demonstration board product line, engineered to accelerate adoption of dsPIC® DSCs in motor control, power conversion, and sensor-integrated systems with validated hardware reference designs.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the AC164320 demonstration board?

The AC164320 demonstration board is a fully assembled and tested hardware platform for evaluating the dsPIC30F6014A digital signal controller. It provides immediate access to all key peripherals-including dual CAN, 16-channel ADC, eight PWM outputs, and quadrature encoder interface-enabling rapid firmware development and system validation without custom PCB design. The AC164320 integrates essential support circuitry such as isolated CAN transceivers, USB-to-UART bridge, and regulated power supplies.

Which dsPIC® device does the AC164320 support, and what are its core specifications?

The AC164320 is specifically designed for the dsPIC30F6014A microcontroller, which delivers 30 MIPS performance at 2.5–5.5 V supply, featuring 144 KB Flash program memory, 8 KB RAM, 68 I/O pins, dual CAN controllers, 16-channel 10-bit ADC, eight PWM modules, and quadrature encoder interface. The AC164320 exposes all these capabilities through standardized headers and test points for direct measurement and signal injection.

Does the AC164320 include CAN transceivers, and if so, which type?

Yes, the AC164320 includes two isolated CAN transceiver circuits based on the MCP2551, each with selectable termination and LED status indicators. These transceivers provide robust physical-layer interface compliant with ISO 11898-2, enabling direct connection to industrial CAN networks without external level-shifting or isolation components. The AC164320 routes both CAN channels to DB9 connectors with standard pinout mapping.

Can the AC164320 be used with MPLAB® ICD 2 or ICD 3 debuggers?

Yes, the AC164320 features a dedicated 6-pin RJ11 connector compatible with MPLAB® ICD 2 and ICD 3 in-circuit debuggers, allowing full real-time debugging, breakpoint setting, and register inspection of the dsPIC30F6014A. This interface operates alongside the standard ICSP™ programming header, giving users flexibility between production programming and interactive development workflows on the AC164320.

Is USB connectivity supported on the AC164320, and how is it implemented?

Yes, the AC164320 implements USB connectivity via an FT232RL USB-to-UART bridge chip, providing virtual COM port functionality for serial communication, bootloader updates, and console logging. The USB interface is powered directly from the host PC and requires no external drivers on Windows, macOS, or Linux systems. This capability is fully integrated into the AC164320's firmware examples and MPLAB® project templates.