The industry's first widely available fixed-point digital signal processor (DSP) with on-chip flash memory will be available later in 1996 from Texas Instruments.
The new 16-bit DSP will enable manufacturers of control and industrial applications, hard disk drives, consumer electronics, security systems, networking equipment, telephones and other com-munications products to offer new or user-specific features more easily.
The TMS320F206 integrates 32K words of flash memory on chip, helping lower system costs and providing flexible reprogramming for system use and development. The TMS320F207, a variant of the 'F206, offers additional integrated peripherals. Two other new DSPs without flash, the TMS320C204 and the TMS320C205, extend the range of TI's 'C2xx generation of fixed-point DSPs.
For example, a working security system could be upgraded via phone lines by reprogramming the on-chip flash with the latest detection algorithm without the added cost of sending a service representative to make the change.
"Flash memory, of course, is not new, but by integrating on-chip flash memory to the DSP, TI allows designers a new reprogramming capability and cost savings by reducing external memory requirements," said Ron Wages, TI DSP marketing manager. "The on-chip flash is large enough to store the code required to perform multiple functions on a single 'C2xx chip for end equipments such as telephones that feature full-duplex speakerphone, LCD screens, caller ID, echo cancellation, voice-mail and modem functionality."
A prototyping device identical to the 'F206, the TMX320FXX, will be available in April from TI and authorized distributors.
March 1996, vol. 13, no. 2
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