TI Simplifies Programming with Extremely Efficient C Compiler, Speeds Up Debug with 100-MHz Real-Time Emulation
New Tools Bring Ease of Development, Faster Time to Market to TMS320C27x Users
HOUSTON, (March 23, 1998) -- Complementing the announcement of its new TMS320C27x digital signal processor (DSP) architecture, Texas Instruments (TI) (NYSE: TXN) announced today an extremely efficient C compiler and at-speed emulation capabilities for faster, easier development of real-time embedded systems based on 'C27x devices. For system developers, the new tools will drastically reduce time-to-market by simplifying both the front end of development, when code is written, and the back end, when the system is debugged.
"The new 'C27x development tools were created to make designing with a DSP as easy as with a microcontroller (MCU)," said Mike Hames, manager of TI's worldwide DSP business. "Designers new to digital signal processing will be able to program in a familiar, high-level language, knowing that their code will be virtually as compact as assembly. And for the first time at this speed, designers will be able to debug the operation of their systems in real-time without the penalty of software overhead or in-circuit emulation hardware."
Efficient C Compiler Eases Software Development
The 'C27x DSP architecture is designed so that the density of its assembly code exceeds that of a microcontroller (MCU). TI's outstandingly efficient C compiler is designed to make the most of 'C27x assembly instructions by compiling code that is denser than MCU code. By way of comparison, 'C27x compiled code has been demonstrated to be up to 45 percent more dense than compiled code for widely used MCUs such as the MC68HC16, 80196 and ARM7TDMI.
With density that approaches the architecture's extremely compact native assembly code, compiled code for the 'C27x requires roughly half as much memory as equivalent compiled code for other DSPs. For developers, this gain in density can double programming productivity by halving the number of lines of code to be written. It can also save half the cost of program memory in the system or allow more code with additional features to be programmed into the same amount of memory.
The efficiency of the compiler also supports the desire of many programmers to use C in embedded systems, since C code is easier to write, more readily ported to new designs and more maintainable than assembly. Support tools allow programmers to mix C and 'C27x assembly, helping them to optimize high-performance routines in assembly while writing system-level C code quickly.
As an example, the 'C27x's MCU-like instructions and highly-efficient C compiler are especially beneficial to the mass storage industry, where C is the language of choice for input/output (I/O) interface operations. "Interrupt-proof" atomic instructions such as read/modify/write are particularly attractive in storage applications, where interrupts are both frequent and unpredictable. In the highly cost-competitive storage industry, the extreme code density and real-time emulation offered by the 'C27x offer substantial savings in space and development time, as does the system-level integration that combines two processors into one. Finally, the DSP's high-performance provides a roadmap for future I/O advances in high-speed serial interfaces and complex interface algorithms.
Non-Intrusive 100-MHz At-Speed Emulation
In order to speed system debug and time-to-market, the 'C27x incorporates a JTAG-based visibility port and TI's new Real-Time Data Exchange (RTDX™), an innovative analysis technology. RTDX enables 'C27x developers to monitor, analyze and modify code executing at full speed (100 MHz) without impacting results or halting applications. Using this window, for example, a motion control system designer could modify registers and instructions, stream key data variables or set and execute hardware breakpoints without impacting operation of the motor.
RTDX and the visibility port allow designers of 'C27x-based systems to isolate software bugs quickly and produce higher quality code in a shorter time. The ability to perform non-intrusive real-time debug at 100 MHz is a first in the industry, underscoring TI's commitment to providing the most advanced development environment available.
The 'C27x takes the RTDX technology to new heights by significantly increasing the bandwidth of data transfer between the host and DSP. The 'C27x can pass greater than 300 kilobytes per second to data visualization tools, allowing sophisticated real-time display of the system operation. The visibility port also supports at-speed testing during product manufacture, a feature especially useful for real-time embedded control.
Comprehensive Support Simplifies Development
In addition to the C compiler and emulation capability, available tools include an instruction set simulator, debugger, evaluation modules and simulation models for application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design.
A Windows™ based integrated development environment (IDE) integrates editing, compiling and debug functions in a manner similar to Visual C++ from Microsoft or Borland.
The 'C27x is supported by TI's extensive third-party network with a wide range of software and hardware tools, including debuggers, emulators, development boards and real-time operating systems from both the DSP and the MCU industries.
"We're making development support for the 'C27x architecture as full-featured and easy-to-use as what designers are accustomed to with MCUs," said Hames. "Now designers can make the transition to a DSP more easily by using a development environment that feels familiar and lets them be productive right away."
For more information about the TMS320C27x architecture, please visit the TI website at 
http://www.ti.com/sc/C2700. The site will be open March 23, 1998.
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