Embedded Processor Watch

Editor: Cary D. Snyder

Contributors to this issue: Cary Snyder and Mark Long

In This Issue:

• Embedded-Tidbits

Embedded Tidbits

By Mark Long {12/4/00-03}

Micron Samples 256MB DDR SDRAMs

Micron Technology is sampling a 266MHz, 256MB DDR SDRAM manufactured with the companyís 0.15-micron process technology. At a clock rate of 133MHz, Micronís 2.5V DDR SDRAM components provide a system-level bandwidth of 2.1GB/s. Available now, the 16MB x 16 configuration of Micronís 256MB DDR SDRAM is intended for use as main memory in server, workstation, high-end PC, and portable applications. The 256MB DDR SDRAM will also be available in 64MB x 4 and 32MB x 8 configurations later this quarter. Pricing of DDR SDRAMs is comparable to that of high-performance SDRAMs. Samples of the PC2100 256MB DDR SDRAM SODIMM, 512MB unbuffered DIMM, 512MB unbuffered DIMM with ECC, 512MB registered DDR SDRAM DIMM, and 1GB registered DDR SDRAM DIMM modules are scheduled for release in 1Q01. For more information: www.micron.com.

Analog Devices Unveils MP3 Chip

Analog Devices has unveiled a chip set that includes a real-time MP3 audio encoder/decoder on a single chip that is fully compliant with the ISO/IEC 11172-3 audio standard. Analogís Melody MP3 chip set encodes and decodes MP3 audio signals in real time, using the companyís fixed-point programmable ADSST-218xM DSP chip set. The chip set also provides a choice of encoding or decoding either MP3 or MPEG1 Audio Layers 1 and 2 on the same DSP.

Both the encoder and decoder run completely within the internal RAM of the DSP without requiring external SDRAM/SRAM. In addition, the MP3 decoder requires less than 32 mips and the MP3 encoder less than 40 mips, leaving sufficient processing power for decoding other audio algorithms. The Melody MP3 chip setís decoders support all encoding-standard bit rates, including half-sampling frequencies from 8kb/s to 160kb/s and full-sample frequencies from 32kb/s to 320kb/s. In addition, the chip setís post-processing includes a 5dB bass boost and four equalizer functions.

Analogís Melody MP3 encoder/decoder chip set is available at less than $10 each in volume quantities. Also available for $350 is a Melody MP3 reference design that includes the companyís ADSST-1885 stereo codec, which can enable the configuration of a complete MP3 player within a 85 x 60 x 30mm footprint and is powered from two 1.5V AA batteries. For more information: www.analog.com.

Infineon Shows Embedded DRAM Process

Infineon Technologies is accepting for production embedded DRAM designs that use a 0.17-micron process derived from technology the company uses in producing high-volume DRAM ICs. The companyís C10DDO technology enables IC designers to combine key elements of complex systems on a single chip, including processors, I/O, analog elements, peripherals, and memory. Other key features of the C10DDO embedded DRAM process include a maximum clock frequency of 166MHz and on-chip bus interface widths of up to 2,048 bits. In addition, up to 256Mb of memory density is available in 2Mb increments. According to Infineon, memory clusters in the embedded DRAM technology occupy no more chip area than a standard DRAM die of the same capacity.

A C10DDO process design kit, including libraries, is now available for use in developing custom and standard SoC devices. The design kit supports an Infineon IP portfolio that includes modular embedded DRAM macros, standard cell and I/O libraries, SRAM, processor cores, register file, and ROM generators, plus special interfaces and licensed IP, such as the ARM processor. Products based on the new technology will be manufactured at Infineonís Dresden, Germany, fabrication site. For more information: www.infineon.com.

TI Intros Digital Audio System Codec

Texas Instruments has introduced a single-chip DSP codec, the AIC23, that offers low power consumption of just 19mW in a very small 5 x 5mm package. Designed to interface directly to TIís programmable TMS320 audio DSP, the device targets portable digital audio players and recorders, digital cameras with compressed audio, cellular phones, and digital speakers.

The AIC23 DSP codecís A/D and D/A converters support a sampling range from 8kHz to 96kHz that includes four resolutions from 16 bits to 32 bits. Throughout this sampling range, the A/D converter achieves an SNR of 97dB; the D/A converter achieves an SNR of 100dB. Other features include stereo line inputs with programmable gain amplifiers, a microphone input with side-tone path, a built-in clock circuit, and a headset output drive of 30mW at 32 ohms. TI also offers an additional single-chip AFE, the TLV320DAC23, that has been designed to support only playback in portable digital audio systems. In all other respects, this single-chip AFE is identical to the AIC23.

Currently sampling, the TLV320AIC23 and TLV320DAC23 DSP codecs are set for volume production before the end of the year. The devices are available in a 32-lead BGA and in a 28-pin TSSOP. The DSP codecs are priced at $3.99 for the AIC23 and $2.99 for the DAC23 in 1,000-unit quantities. For more information: www.ti.com.

IP Cores for Actel SX-A, eX Devices

Actel Corporation has announced the availability of five new intellectual property (IP) cores for its SX-A and eX devices. For use in communications, networking, and telecom applications, the IP cores include an 8b/10b encoder/decoder, a configurable cyclic redundancy code (CRC), an SDRAM controller, a PCI bus arbiter, and a UART.

Actelís 8b/10b encoder/decoder generates and decodes the physical-coding sublayer used in Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel networks. It offers technical features such as disparity and illegal code error checking and supports data rates that exceed 125MHz. Supporting operating speeds up to 270MHz, the CRC generator core validates data frames and ensures that data corruption is detected during transmission.

The CRC also supports the ATM, CANbus, and X.25 communications standards. Actelís IP cores are supplied in either Verilog or VHDL. Available now, the cores may be licensed for use in Actel devices for as little as $495. For more information: www.actel.com.

Cygnal Intros Optical SoC

Cygnal Integrated Products has announced the availability of a field-programmable, mixed-signal SoC, the C8051F001, that has been optimized for Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) laser control applications in optical communications systems. Cygnalís C8051F001 SoC combines a 12-bit analog data- acquisition system with a programmable 20-mips CPU that is 8051-code compatible and a 32Kb programmable flash memory. The SoC also includes UART, SMBus, and SPI serial interfaces, four 8051-style timers, and a five-channel, programmable counter array. In addition, the on-board analog peripherals include an eight-channel, 12-bit A/D converter; a temperature sensor; two 12-bit digital-to-analog converters; two voltage comparators; and a voltage reference. For more information: www.cygnal.com.

National Licenses Xtensa from Tensilica

Tensilica has announced that National Semiconductor has licensed the company's Xtensa III IP processor core. National will employ the technology to develop configurable microprocessor cores for the high-speed Ricochet modem technology it is developing in concert with Metricom.