On February 18, Analog Devices introduced a new line of mixed-signal DSPs, the ADSP-2199x. These new DSPs are based on the ADSP-219x core which contains a 16-bit data path with a single multiply-accumulate (MAC) unit. The first two members of this family, the ADSP-21990 and the ADSP-21991, target motor control applications: both include a 14-bit A/D converter, a three-phase PWM output, and other control-oriented peripherals.
With a clock speed of 160 MHz, the ADSP-2199x is one of the fastest DSPs to target motor control. Most other DSPs targeting motor control, e.g., the Microchip dsPIC, the Motorola DSP568xx, and the Texas Instruments TMS320C24xx, operate at much slower clock speeds-- typically around 30-40 MHz. Of course, most popular DSPs are available at clock speeds of 100 MHz or greater, but these processors do not include A/D converters and PWM outputs.
The main competition for the ADSP-2199x will likely be the TI TMS320C28xx, which was announced last September. The 'C28xx is similar to the '2199x in many respects: it contains A/D converters, PWM outputs, and a single-MAC data path that operates at 150 MHz. However, the 'C28xx differs from the '2199x--and from most DSPs--in that it uses a 32-bit data path. This difference in data sizes makes speed comparisons between the 'C28xx and the '2199x difficult, but the wider data size gives the 'C28xx an advantage for applications that require more dynamic range and/or precision than that provided by a 16-bit data word. The pricing of these competitors is certainly similar; the '2199x is priced at $18.45 - $21.95, and the 'C28xx is priced at $17.95 - $22.95 (both prices are for 10,000 unit orders).
The 160 MHz ADSP-21990 is sampling now, and is expected to enter full production in the second quarter of 2002. The 160 MHz ADSP-21991 is expected to begin sampling in the third quarter of 2002, and is expected to reach production in the fourth quarter.
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