DSP technology is continuing to inch its way into a vast array of embedded applications, fueled by chipmakers who continue to push the technology in many directions. By continuing to add performance and simplify design-in, chipmakers have pushed the embedded DSP market to $14.3 billion, twice the size of the general purpose market, according to Forward Concepts.
Any increase in market share in this highly competitive market is well-deserved. Forward Concepts founder Will Strauss offers this lengthy analysis of the burgeoning digital signal processing market. The embedded DSP market is served by more than 100 chip vendors providing DSP technology in the form of ASSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, RISC/DSP combos, DSP-enhanced MPUs, DSP-enhanced RISC cores and state machines, he says.
Blackfin modules boost flash capacity
Meeting the stringent demands of the automotive market, Analog Devices Inc. is extending its Blackfin DSP family with processors that are combined with Flash memory in a single package. Two versions are aimed at the automotive market, providing CAN and MOST bus connectivity, while two others broad-based industrial, medical and biometrics applications.
The packages hold Spansion Flash memory with capacities of either 512 KB or 1 MB. Processors run at 500 MHz.
The automotive part, which runs at higher temperatures, is supported by the Integrity real-time operating system from Green Hills Software. The two packages aimed at broader markets offer several industry-standard interfaces including CAN, SPORTs UARTS, SPI, TWI and GPIO along with the processor core and dual DMA controllers. Pricing for the Blackfin modules starts at $13.75 each in 10,000-piece quantities.
DSP line provides 60 MHz at low price
Four low-cost digital signal controller chips from Texas Instruments Inc. are targeted at motor control, digital power conversion and intelligent sensor control applications.
The parts provide 60 MHz performance at prices as low as $3.25. The four F280x devices feature a patent-pending pulse width modulator with 150 picosecond resolution. The high-resolution PWM provides 16 bits of accuracy in a 100 KHz control loop and 12 bits at 1.5 MHz, resulting in cleaner power output, higher power density, and smaller magnetics.
The line features a 32-bit wide data path for superior performance and mixed 16/32-bit instruction set for improved code density.
Other peripherals include an on-chip,12-bit analog to digital converter and quadrature encoder pulse interfaces, with CAN, I2C, UART and SPI ports also available. Support includes the new digital power development kit, which includes the TMS320C2000 Digital Power Supply software library.
Four DSPs augment Freescale line
Freescale Semiconductor is broadening its digital signal controller offerings with four additions to its 56F8000 DSC family.
They are based on Freescale's 32 MIPS 56800/E DSC core, which has single-cycle multiply accumulate execution. The DSCs, which have up to 64 Kbytes of Flash, come in lead-free package with 32 to 64 pins.
Additional device features include a 96 MHz PWM with programmable fault capability, a 12-bit ADC with a 1.125 microsecond conversion rate, and ADC/PWM synchronization. Parts also house an inter-IC bus interface, integrated voltage regulator and power supervisor, with a tunable relaxation oscillator.
Four 16-bit timers, computer operating properly, serial peripheral interface and serial communications interface are additional peripherals. A complimentary CodeWarrior permanent license for up to 16 KB application code is available with web-based registration. For more information, go tohttp://rbi.ims.ca/4937-500
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