Embedded Processor Watch

Editor: Tom Halfhill

In This Issue:

• Hitachi SH7751 Gains a PCI Interface
• Sun Offers Embedded UltraSparc
• Industry Resources: The ABCs of DSP
• New Embedded IC Announcements

Hitachi SH7751 Gains a PCI Interface

Hitachi's new SuperH 7751 joins the exclusive club of embedded processors that have an integrated PCI interface. It also runs Microsoft's Windows CE and consumes less than half a watt of power, opening up new possibilities for mobile CE-based devices that could make use of PCI connectivity.

The SH7751 is a derivative of the SH7750, the CPU in Sega's Dreamcast video-game console (see Embedded Processor Watch, Issue #2 ). The SH7750 was the first chip in Hitachi's SH-4 generation and is by far the most powerful member of the SuperH family. The SH7751 is nearly identical to the SH7750 but has a few differences that make it more suitable for other embedded applications.

Hitachi reduced the power consumption of the SH7751 by 42% in active mode and by 85% in standby mode compared with the SH7750. To achieve this feat, the SH7751 activates its caches more efficiently, uses smaller transistors in the flip-flops and data paths, and disables the debug unit if it's never used. A process shrink to 0.18 micron helped, too. As a result, the SH7751 typically consumes only 240 mW at 133 MHz (1.5 V) and 400 mW at 167 MHz (1.8 V).

Although Hitachi designed its sister chip for video games, the SH7751 targets a wider range of embedded applications that need high performance, low power consumption, Windows CE compatibility, and PCI connectivity.--T.R.H. (The full version of this item appeared in the June 21 issue of Microprocessor Report.)

Sun Offers Embedded UltraSparc

Sun Microsystems' new UltraSparc-IIe will combine the 64-bit UltraSparc-2 core with 256K of on-chip L2 cache, an integrated DRAM controller, enhanced power-management features, and a 32-bit 66-MHz PCI host bridge. Built in Texas Instruments' 0.18-micron six-layer-metal process, the chip is slated to operate at speeds from 400 to 550 MHz, making it one of the fastest embedded processors announced to date. Its power consumption of 13 W at 500 MHz also makes it one of the largest and hottest embedded processors announced to date -- but these are likely to be acceptable characteristics for the networking, telecommunications, and mass-storage systems at which the UltraSparc-IIe is aimed.--P.N.G. (The full version of this item appeared in the June 21 issue of Microprocessor Report.)

Industry Resources: The ABCs of DSP

With interest in DSP growing, lots of engineers are tackling signal-processing applications for the first time. If you don't know your FFTs from your FIRs, check out the DSP Primer from McGraw-Hill. This 500-page tome covers everything from the basics to detailed how-to descriptions of decimator structures, adaptive filters, and speech processing. It comes with a handy CD-ROM containing hundreds of software tools and algorithms written in Microsoft Visual C++.

The DSP Primer, including the CD-ROM, costs $75.95 plus tax and shipping. To order, call McGraw-Hill (Columbus, Ohio) at 800.262.4729 or go to http://www.books.mcgraw-hill.com/.

New Embedded IC Announcements

EP7211 (Cirrus Logic): an ARM 720T-based system on a chip for hand-held devices that run Windows CE, EPOC32, or other RTOSes. It integrates an LCD controller, DRAM controller, IrDA interface, keyboard interface (via the GPIO ports), and 38.4K of SRAM. Clock speeds can vary under software control from 18-74 MHz. Power consumption is about 50 mW at 18 MHz or 170 mW at 74 MHz. Packaged in a 208-pin LQFP or 256-pin BGA. Price: $17.50 (LQFP) or $21 (BGA) in 10,000-unit quantities; samples: now; production: 3Q99. Call Cirrus Logic at 510.623.8300 or go to http://www.cirrus.com/.

EP7209 (Cirrus Logic): a system on a chip for portable digital music devices such as MP3 players. Unlike fixed-function DSP-based solutions, it can support emerging music formats (Microsoft Audio 4.0, Secure Digital Music Initiative) in addition to MP3. It integrates an ARM 720T core with an LCD controller, an interface for a stereo digital-to-analog converter, and a keypad interface (via the GPIO ports). Power consumption is about 170 mW at 74 MHz or 110 mW when playing MP3 files. Packaged in a 208-pin LQFP or 256-pin BGA. Price: $14 (LQFP) or $17.50 (BGA) in 10,000-unit quantities; samples: now; production: 3Q99. Call Cirrus Logic at 510.623.8300 or go to http://www.cirrus.com/.