DSP has long been essential is high-end professional audio equipment, where customers demand innovation, versatility, and performance. But for equipment designers, delivering those attributes – and getting new products out the door quickly – can present serious challenges. Prominent among these is selecting the right processor for a new product.
Designers of pro audio equipment typically select a processor to implement their DSP functions and then use that processor (and compatible successor chips) for as many subsequent designs as they can -- maximizing re-use of software, hardware, and know-how. But as system designs grow more complex, even a processor that was originally an ideal fit inevitably becomes obsolete.
A group of senior engineers and managers at an established pro audio equipment company found themselves in just this situation. To meet customer demands, they needed to get started designing their new product right away. But they quickly realized that the processor they’d been using – which had been chosen nearly 10 years earlier – wouldn’t meet their needs.
The engineers could have embarked on research to identify candidate processors and evaluate their fit for the application. But this would have taken months—time that they needed to use for actually designing their product. In addition, to reduce the likelihood that they’d have to change processors again soon, the managers wanted to assess the future prospects of candidate processors—not the sort of information found on a data sheet.
The company engaged BDTI’s engineering services to speed the processor selection process and ensure a sound selection decision.
Using its comprehensive knowledge of processors, BDTI was able to quickly zero in on a handful of promising candidates. BDTI’s analysis covered all the bases, from a thorough analysis of application performance requirements to an nuanced assessment of processor vendors’ roadmaps and commitment to future development.
Within five weeks, BDTI delivered its recommendations – two strong candidate processors, with an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each. A few days later, the equipment company’s managers made their decision. By leveraging BDTI’s broad and deep knowledge of processors, the company was able to start design work on its new product quickly, while having full confidence that the processor chosen would meet the needs of the current design, and also provide a strong basis for future products.
To learn how BDTI can help you find the processor that's right for your next product, call us at +1 (925) 954 1411 or contact us via the web. All inquiries are confidential.