Texas Instruments

High-performance DSP tools available for PCs

This new platform brings the possibilities of TMS320C8x-based systems to more designers of videoconferencing, electronic game, imaging and digital switching/networking equipment.

TMS320C8x design tools

Designing with TI TMS320C8x DSPs is easier and less expensive with these PC-based development tools. And for OEMs exploring 'C8x design for the first time, these tools eliminate the need to purchase expensive workstations. They also reduce the learning curve and training costs because they rely on widely used Windows interfaces and commands.

The new 'C8x tools include:

Windows compatibility

Not only do the new PC-based tools run under the current version of Windows NT (Version 3.5), they also will be compatible with Microsoft's Windows 95.

Designed to plug into a standard Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) slot, the 'C80 software development board provides all the bus speed needed to develop 'C8x applications in a Windows NT development environment. The PCI interface permits extremely rapid frame memory reading and writing, eliminating the need to write video out to a separate monitor.

Until now, 'C8x development was confined to SPARC-compatible workstations. SPARC-compatible workstations will continue as the platform of choice for many developers, said Julie Gallagher, TMS320C8x marketing manager, but the new PC tools will facilitate expanded design teams and new design teams using PC platforms.

Speeds code writing

Two industry firsts--a register allocator and a code compactor that significantly speeds the writing of efficient parallel processing code--have been added to the TMS320C8x toolset.

The register allocator streamlines code development by efficiently managing variable usage of registers. The code compactor allows a programmer to write code in standard linear fashion. The compactor then optimizes the code by identifying instructions that can run in parallel.

"This allows a DSP code writer to immediately begin writing code in a form that is familiar," said Rick Rinehart, TMS320C8x program manager. "The writer can concentrate on implementing the algorithm and let the compactor take care of applying the parallel processing rules that let the code run faster and take less memory."

Pricing and availability

The new 'C8x code generation tools are available now from Texas Instruments and authorized distributors for a suggested resale price of $3,500. The 'C8x XDS510 software is also available now for $2,000. The software development board is available from Texas Instruments and authorized distributors at a suggested resale price of $6,000. One year's worth of software updates is included at no additional charge. 


Features	        Benefits 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software Development    *Permits development, check-out and debugging using
Board (SDB)              a 40-MHz 'C80 device, rather than a simulator 	
	                *Executes code in real time before hardware 
                         development is complete
                        *Designed to plug into a standard PCI interface
                         slot for rapid frame memory reading and writing	
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Register Allocator 	*Streamlines code development by efficiently
Code Compactor	         managing variable usage of registers 	
                        *Allows code writing in standard linear fashion
	                *Optimizes code by converting single instructions
                         into parallel instructions where possible
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debugger                *High-level language debugger simplifies the
                         design and debug of 'C8x-based systems 	
                        *Provides visibility to chip registers 	
	                *Automatic expression analyzer promotes
                         user-defined debugging tasks by permitting usage
                         of an expression as part of a command 
	                *Parallel DSP/RISC debug manager enables multiple
                         debuggers to be coordinated simultaneously
                         within a multiprocessor system
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optimizing C Compiler	*Helps increase productivity and code portability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSP Algebraic           *Generates code faster and more accurately in an
Assembler                easy-to-understand algebraic format 	 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Linker	                *Links together all code modules for the 'C8x 
                         master processor and parallel processors 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multitasking Executive	*Simplifies synchronization and execution of 
                         multiple DSP tasks 	 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emulation Environment	*Conducted via the 1149.1 boundary scan standard 
                        *Allows scanning at rates independent of internal
                         device clock rates 	
                        *Enables a full view of the 'C8x internal buses
                         and analysis blocks within the processors 				for easy manipulation and programmability 	 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support                 *Comprehensive four-day training course 	
                        *Free TMS320 DSP telephone hotline 
                        *E-mail

Windows, Windows NT and Windows 95 are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. SPARC is a trademark of SPARC International.

September 1995, vol. 12, no. 6

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