Large ROM DSPs cut cost - 13 February 2002 - Altron Arrow - Avnet South Africa

Texas Instruments (TI) has introduced two programmable TMS320C54x digital signal processors (DSPs) that incorporate more on-chip read-only memory (ROM). Code compatible with all 19 devices in the TMS320C5000 DSP platform, the two DSPs allow customers to reduce overall system cost, size and power for applications including consumer digital audio, feature phones, cellular hands-free kits, speech recognition command and control, handheld gaming, toys and advanced headsets.

Enhanced peripherals reduce cost

The TMS320C5404 DSP and TMS320C5407 DSP feature cost and power saving peripherals. They are the first C54x devices to offer a hardware-based UART to simplify interfacing to microcontrollers or wireless communication sub-systems such as TI's BNS60xx/TRF6001 Bluetooth chipset. Three high-speed multichannel buffered serial ports are provided for additional serial connection to multiple codecs or telecom interfaces which are useful in applications such as consumer 5.1 audio products or to interface directly to T1/E1 data rates.

The C5407 DSP delivers 120 MHz of performance with 40K words of RAM and 120K words of ROM, providing more than seven times the industry standard. The C5404 delivers 120 MHz of performance with 16K words of RAM and 64K words of ROM.

In addition, each DSP features a six-channel DMA, an 8/16 bit host port interface (HPI) and 23 general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins. Both DSPs operate at less than 50 mW of power dissipation at 120 MHz with 1,5 V core and a 3,3 V I/O. They also feature three power-management modes for further system power savings.

Texas Instruments C54x DSP generation now consists of 17 devices that are code compatible with all C5000 DSPs including upward compatibility with the new TMS320C55x DSP generation.

The C54x generation of DSP includes:

* The TMS320C5401 is the entry point into the broad C5000 DSP platform. It is suited for low cost end equipments such as toys and consumer electronic items.

* The TMS320C5402 offers a balance of performance, low power and price, with performance to 160 MHz in the C5402A.

* The TMS320C5410 and TMS320C5409 provide high integration for new space-constrained DSP applications such as digital radios and global positioning systems.

* The TMS320C5416 offers 128K words of SRAM and 160 MIPS performance. Offers greater system flexibility for mid-range telecommunication applications such as voice over IP, fax and voice mail servers and PBX add-ons.

Starter kits and evaluation modules are available from Texas Instruments and licensed distributors, and foundation software can be accessed through TI's chip support library (CSL). Also, for development tools and software see www.dspvillage.ti.com/v5.

For further information contact Arrow Altech Distribution, (011) 923 9600; Avnet Kopp, (011) 444 2333.