BDTI’s DSP Insider Archives
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This month:
ADI Improves Blackfin’s Speed, Cost, and PowerLast month Analog Devices announced three new members of its Blackfin DSP family, the ADSP-BF531, ADSP-BF532, and ADSP-BF533. The fastest of the new chips, the ’BF533, operates at clock speeds of up to 600 MHz—twice the clock speed of earlier Blackfin DSPs. With this increased clock speed, the ’BF533 is faster than most mainstream DSPs, but still slower than today’s fastest DSPs. For example, the BDTI Benchmarks™ show that the 600 MHz ’BF533 is about twice as fast as a 300 MHz TI ’C55xx but only half as fast as a 720 MHz TI ’C64xx. (Benchmark scores for the processors discussed in this article are available at http://www.BDTI.com/bdtimark/BDTImark2000.htm.) The ’BF533 also falls between mid-range and high-end DSPs in terms of price. At a price of $19.95 in 10,000-unit quantities, the 600 MHz ’BF533 is about twice as expensive as the fastest ’C55xx and about half as expensive as the slowest ’C64xx (the 300 MHz ’C5502 and 300 MHz ’C6411, respectively). The ’BF531 and ’BF532, which operate at speeds up to 400 MHz, more closely resemble competing mid-range DSPs. For example, both the 300 MHz ’BF531 and the 300 MHz ’C5501 cost $4.95, and both the 400 MHz ’BF532 and the 300 MHz ’C5502 cost $9.95. (All prices are for 10,000-unit quantities.) This pricing gives the ’BF531 and ’BF532 clear price/performance advantages over the ’C55xx. For example, the BDTI Benchmarks™ show that the 400 MHz ’BF532 is about 1.5 times faster than the identically priced 300 MHz ’C5502. According to ADI, the new Blackfin family members are the “most power-efficient processors for their class.” BDTI has not yet evaluated ADI’s power claims. However, the power numbers quoted by ADI suggest that the new family members are far more energy-efficient than the older ’21535. Indeed, all three new family members offer higher speed, lower cost, and better energy efficiency than the ’21535. The ’21535 was already a strong entrant in the mid-range DSP market, so the new family members will undoubtedly draw much attention from ADI’s customers and competitors alike.
The 400 MHz ’BF531 and ’BF532 and the 500 MHz and 600 MHz ’BF533 are
all sampling now. The 300 MHz ’BF531 and ’BF532 are expected to begin
sampling in the third quarter of 2003.
Reconfigurable Architectures Win Backing for 3GReconfigurable processors have long shown great promise for performance-hungry signal processing applications, but these architectures have garnered little mainstream acceptance. This may be changing, though; recent announcements suggest reconfigurable processors may soon become common in 3G base stations. Architecturally, reconfigurable processors share some attributes with digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Ideally, reconfigurable processors combine the strengths of all three types of architectures: the fast time-to-market of a DSP, the flexibility of a FPGA, and the efficiency of an ASIC. Unfortunately, reconfigurable processors can be difficult to program because they are inherently complicated devices. As a result, realizing the potential strengths of a reconfigurable processor can be challenging. Recent announcements suggest one solution to this problem: tune the architecture and tools for a specific target application. In February MorphICs and PicoChip each announced reconfigurable processors and programming tools specifically designed for 3G base stations. In March Motorola disclosed it had helped Morpho Technologies optimize its processor for 3G base stations, and that Motorola will use the Morpho architecture in future base station ICs. Although the needs of 3G base stations would seem to make them a logical target for reconfigurable processors, vendors have been hamstrung by OEMs’ need to minimize risk. MorphICs, PicoChip, and Morpho Technologies are all small start-ups. Base station designers’ enthusiasm for reconfigurable processor technology has likely been tempered by concerns about the longevity of these vendors.
Several announcements last month address these concerns. First,
Infineon announced that it was acquiring MorphICs. As mentioned
above, Motorola announced it would use the Morpho architecture in
upcoming 3G solutions. And Texas Instruments’ base station chipset,
which was also announced last month, uses reconfigurable technology TI
acquired in its purchase of Envoy Technologies. (The TI chipset is
discussed in detail in the February edition of the DSP Insider.)
Infineon, Motorola, and Texas Instruments are three of the world’s
largest semiconductor companies. The backing of these companies is
likely to speed the acceptance of reconfigurable processors.
BDTI Case Study
This month: DSP Software Function LibrariesDeveloping the software for a modern DSP application is an enormous undertaking; doing so from scratch is even more ambitious. As the amount of code required for these applications grows, so too does the difficulty and importance of code optimization. DSP function libraries—collections of flexible, reusable, and optimized DSP software building blocks—can significantly reduce software development time and risk. Libraries increase the productivity of DSP application software developers in several ways. Some building blocks will perfectly match the needs of an application and can be used “off the shelf” without modification. Other building blocks will be approximate matches that the application developer can fine-tune to fit the application at hand. In addition to using these optimized functions directly in applications, application developers can use DSP function libraries (and the accompanying source code) as a valuable learning tool. Analysis of library functions can help developers learn how to write their own highly optimized routines. BDTI has designed and developed DSP function libraries for a variety of processors. BDTI draws on its vast application experience to select the most useful functions and then uses its extensive DSP software optimization experience to develop highly efficient implementations of these functions. BDTI customers that have their own development resources can engage BDTI for library design services, including creation of detailed specifications and oversight of library implementation work.
BDTI recently developed a DSP function library for a DSP-enhanced
general-purpose processor, helping the processor vendor to establish
credibility among DSP application developers. DSP software function
libraries can be developed for any processor and will accelerate the
software development process for many DSP-related applications. To
find out how a BDTI-designed DSP software library can help your
business, contact Jeremy Giddings, giddings@BDTI.com, +1 510-665-1600.
Impulse Response, by Jeff Bier
FUBU or FUBAR?A 1995 survey found that 17% of VCR clocks were flashing “12:00.” This fact may make a great joke for a stand-up comedian, but it highlights a serious problem for consumer electronics companies: user interfaces are rarely user-friendly. While most people can live with a flashing VCR clock, poor interfaces are slowing the acceptance of advanced consumer electronics. I recently observed some dramatic examples of the perils of bad user interfaces. A few weeks ago I visited a retirement home that recently installed digital cable TV. While the residents were undoubtedly pleased by the availability of both MTV and MTV2, they were perplexed by the complexity of tuning in their favorite channels. With the old setup, they could go from a blank screen to the desired channel in two steps: power up the TV and select the station. In contrast, the digital cable remote control requires seven carefully sequenced button-presses to switch between the TV and the set-top box, power up both devices, and select the desired (three-digit) cable channel. I also upgraded my home theater receiver a few months ago. After installing the receiver, I realized it lacked radio preset buttons. Flipping between my favorite stations—which used to require a single button push—now requires me to patiently hold a button while the receiver cycles to the desired station. Most recently, I purchased a combination VCR/DVD player for my mother-in-law. Initially, I thought this combo unit would be simpler to use than two separate devices. One look at the remote proved otherwise: this monstrosity had about 50 buttons, many labeled with never-before-seen icons with inscrutable meanings. Since I like my mother-in-law, this unit went back to the store.
These experiences bring to mind the urban streetwear brand FUBU, or
“For Us, By Us.” While the “FUBU” approach may work for rap artists,
it is a terrible design mentality for engineers. Today’s consumer
electronics may be more sophisticated than ever, but these devices
must appeal to unsophisticated consumers. Indeed, expecting consumers
to think like an embedded electronics engineer is a great way to get
your product returned.
BDTImark2000™ for the Blackfin ADSP-BF531/532/533BDTI has released a BDTImark2000™ score for three new devices in Analog Devices’ Blackfin family, the ADSP-BF531, ADSP-BF532, and ADSP-BF533. These scores are based on recent benchmarking using the BDTI Benchmarks™. For this score, as well as scores for other processors, go to http://www.BDTI.com/bdtimark/BDTImark2000.htm.
The BDTIsimMark2000™ and BDTImark2000™ are summary measures of
DSP speed distilled from a suite of DSP benchmarks developed and
independently verified by BDTI.
Join BDTI at Embedded Systems Conference, San FranciscoThis year’s ESC San Francisco features a Consumer Electronics Track, chaired by BDTI, which focuses on the opportunities and challenges in creating and delivering innovative CE media products. The track includes a panel discussion, classes, and special events. Headlining the CE track is the BDTI-organized panel discussion Key Challenges for Consumer Media Products. This panel brings together diverse viewpoints from content providers, home entertainment equipment manufacturers, and consumer advocates for a frank discussion of the challenges impeding the widespread adoption of new consumer media technology. BDTI classes in the CE track include: Consumer Media Products: Trends and Technologies, Smart Processor Picks for Consumer Media Applications, and Developing A/V Software for Consumer Media Products. In addition to classes in the CE track, BDTI will present DSP Benchmarks for the Latest Processors.
Get more info at http://www.BDTI.com/bdti_whatsnew.html#esc. For a
free exhibits pass go to http://www.esconline.com/rd/0041.htm.
New BDTI Seminar at Embedded Processor ForumThe 2003 Embedded Processor Forum, to be held June 16-19 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, will feature a new BDTI seminar, Processors for Communication and Multimedia Applications. This seminar answers the question, “Which processors best meet the needs of the new, integrated communications and multimedia applications?” Today’s communications and multimedia applications, such as in smart phones and consumer media products, require serious signal-processing horsepower. But speed alone isn’t enough: processors for these applications must also provide rich development infrastructure and meet tight cost and power constraints. The seminar classifies the numerous processors that target communications and multimedia applications into manageable categories and provides in-depth, objective analysis of the most important architectures and products. The seminar reveals what it takes for a processor to succeed in today’s demanding DSP-centric applications and provides unique insights into vendors’ strategies and technology trends.
For information and links for schedule, location, and complete
program, go to http://www.BDTI.com/bdti_whatsnew.html#epf.
BDTI Products and ServicesDo you need to:
You will find more information on these and other BDTI products and
services at http://www.BDTI.com. Or contact Jeremy Giddings at
giddings@BDTI.com.
About BDTIBDTI is an independent source for DSP technology analysis and optimized DSP software. From rigorous technical analyses of processors for DSP, such as the Inside series of processor analyses, to highly regarded technology training classes, BDTI is the trusted independent source for reliable information on DSP technology.
For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.BDTI.com.
The next issue of BDTI’s DSP Insider is coming in May. Previous issues of BDTI’s DSP Insider are archived on BDTI’s Web site. Follow the link from http://www.BDTI.com/dspinsider.htm. If you have comments, suggestions, or other feedback about the DSP Insider, please send email to dspinsider@BDTI.com. BDTI’s DSP Insider is a free monthly electronic newsletter published by Berkeley Design Technology, Inc. If our newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it regularly, please register at http://www.BDTI.com/dspinsider.htm.
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