Intelligent Power
DC to AC Power Inverter Solutions
A DC to AC power inverter converts Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). The input voltage, output voltage, frequency and overall power handling depend on the design of the specific device or circuitry. An Uninterruptible Power
Supply (UPS) is a typical example of an DC to AC inverter. It provides an alternate electric power supply for connected electronic equipment when the primary power source is not available. There are three types of UPS systems, depending on how the
electric power is being stored and relayed to the electronic device connected to them:
- Offline UPS, often called standby UPS
- Line-interactive UPS, also known as continuous UPS
- Online UPS, frequently called double conversion UPS
A typical UPS for computers protects against four types of power events:
- Power surges
- Voltage shortages
- Complete power failures
- Wide variations in the electric current frequency
DC-AC Reference Designs
Microchip’s Digital Pure Sine Wave Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Reference Design
This reference design is based on the dsPIC33F “GS” series of digital-power Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs). It demonstrates how digital-power techniques, when applied to UPS applications, enable easy modifications through software; the use of smaller magnetics; intelligent battery charging; higher-efficiency, compact designs; reduction in audible and electrical noise via a purer sine-wave output; USB communication and low-cost overall Bill of Materials.
Recommended Products
dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers
| Product | Core | Number of Pins | Program Flash (KB) | RAM (KB) | IC/OC/ MCCP/SCCP | SMPS PWM | ADCs | Number of Op Amps/ PGAs | Number of Analog Comparators | Number of UART/I2C/ SPI Interfaces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| dsPIC33EP 'GS' Family | 70 MIPS Single Core | Up to 80 | Up to 128 | Up to 8 | 4/4 | 16 Channels 1 nS | 22 × 12-bit, 5x S/H | 2 | 4x | 2/2/3 |
| dsPIC33CK 'MP' Family | 100 MIPS Single Core | Up to 80 | Up to 256 | Up to 24 | 9 | 16 Channels 250 pS | 24 × 12-bit, 3x S/H | 3 | 3 | 3/3/3 |
| dsPIC33CH 'MP' Family | 100 MIPS Dual Core | Up to 80 | Up to 512/72 | Up to 48 + 16 | 8 + 4 | 8+4 Channels 250 pS | 18 × 12-bit, 4x S/H | 3 | 3 | 3/3/3 |
IC = Input Capture
OC = Output Compare
MCCP = Multiple Capture/Compare/PWM
SCCP = Single Capture/Compare/PWM
SMPS PWM = Power Supply Pulse Width Modulation