Designated the TMS320F206, the device integrates 32K words of flash memory on-chip, helping lower system costs and providing flexible reprogramming for system use and development. Another new device, the TMS320F207 DSP, is a variant of the 'F206 with 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.
On-chip flash memory helps reduce or eliminate external memory, achieving savings in system cost, a capability that has not been available for high volume production. It also brings flexible reprogramming, so that products can be updated easily with new features, standards or user information at any time -- during development, production and even after the product is in the end user's hands. 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."
On-chip memory and peripherals help tailor the products to the needs of individual applications. The 'F206 integrates 4.5K RAM and 32K Flash along with the T320C2xLP core. The 'F207 integrates 4.5K RAM, 32K Flash, a second synchronous serial port, and a 16-bit I/O. The 'C204 integrates 4K ROM on-chip, the 'C205 4.5K RAM. Planned operation speeds will be 40, 57 and 80 MHz, for performance of 20, 28.5 and 40 million instructions per second (MIPS), respectively.
The 'F206, 'C204 and 'C205 will each be packaged in a 100-pin thin quad flatpack (TQFP), each with the same pin-out; the 'F207 in a 144-pin TQFP. Sampling for the flash devices is planned for 3Q96 with volume availability from TI and TI authorized distributors planned for 4Q96. Sampling for the 'C204 and 'C205 is planned for 2Q96 with volume availability from TI and TI authorized distributors planned for 3Q96.
A prototyping device, the TMX320FXX, is available now. Identical to the 'F206 except for the RAM, the prototype device can be ordered from TI and TI Authorized Distributors as a development sample now. System developers can further speed their designs to market by using TI's development tools for these devices including C-compilers, assemblers, linkers, simulators, and evaluations modules.
All of the new devices are based on TI's T320C2xLP fixed-point DSP core and have been developed with the company's customizable DSP (cDSP) technology. TI's 'C2xLP core allows customers using the new 'C2xx core-based devices an easy migration path for cDSP, a high volume option which enables even lower system costs and maximum system integration.
The 'C2xLP DSP core continues to be the foundation for TI's fixed-point roadmap to increase DSP performance for emerging high-volume applications. The core has been used in custom solutions which have been shipping in volume since 1994. TI's cDSP technology now offers customers the ability to incorporate on-chip Flash memory into their designs.
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