In this Issue
TI's TMS320C6x pushes the envelope in:
performance,
time-to-market,
design support,
architecture
and tools

DSP Solutions:
  Is hardware holding you back?
  1997 'C6x Training

Other Stories:
  Video restoration on a multiple TMS320C40 system
  New DSP Starter Kit for high-performance 'C54 DSPs
  TI SC Group earns worldwide ISO 9001 designation for quality standards

Product Update
  RS-485 differential transceiver
  A/D converters
  FlatLink transmitter/receivers

Trade Shows

New DSP Starter Kit for high-performance 'C54 DSPs

TI's new TMS320C54x DSKplus software development tool incorporates a true Windows-based debugger. It offers more flexibility in software code development and serves as an architecture evaluation platform for beginning or experienced designers.

Featuring the TMS320C542 16-bit, fixed-point DSP performing 40 million instructions per second (MIPS) on the PC-linkable board, the 'C54x DSKplus is the most powerful DSK development tool on the market. It is a high-functioning, yet low-cost development tool that enables designers to quickly start learning to use 'C54x DSPs. The 'C54x DSKplus board also allows users to take advantage of the 'C542's host port interface, buffered serial port, and standard serial port for interfacing to a variety of other devices.

The true Windows-based debugger makes the TMS320C54x DSKplus an easy-to-use tool. It provides a visual environment that enables easier code development and reduces time-to-market. Created by GO DSP Corp., the Code Explorer is the first Windows-based debugger to be integrated into a low-cost development tool. Other features include a graphical user's interface, an algebraic assembler and symbolic debugging.

The TMS320C54x DSKplus is priced at US$149 and available through TI's authorized distributors. A free comprehensive training and technical documentation CD-ROM is also available. The CD-ROM features a complete product and applications training module, product family overviews and device specifications, a complete online user's guide and additional documentation supporting the 'C54x generation.

C54x DSKplus package

• TMS320C542-based board with TLC320AC01 AIC. The TMS320C542 DSP is 40 MIPS and includes 10K words of on-chip Dual-Access RAM
• Parallel printer port supporting 4-bit/8-bit ports
• Two standard mini-plug input and output jacks that provide direct connections to a pre-amplified microphone and multimedia speakers
• Socketed programmable array logic (PAL)
• All of the data, address, control signals, and peripherals signals are brought out to headers at the periphery of the board for expandability purposes
• Code Explorer Windows-based debugger and sample programs
• Parallel printer port cable (25-M to 25-F)
• Universal power supply (5V DC)
• TMS320C54x DSKplus User's Guide
• TMS320C54x CPU and Peripherals Reference Guide
• TMS320C54x Algebraic Instruction Set Reference Guide
• TMS320C54x data sheet
• TLC320AC01 Analog Interface Circuit data sheet
• $149 coupon toward the purchase of the 'C54x evaluation modules (EVM)
• Two 3.5" diskettes with software which includes the Code Explorer debugger, algebraic assembler, application loader, self-test and application demo software