Austin--May 24, 1999--Developers of multi-channel communication and networking systems now have a new choice for their high performance applications that require digital signal processing. With 255 MIPS operating performance, the 24-bit DSP56311 digital signal processor from Motorola offers 3 Mbits of on-chip static RAM. The large on-chip memory is designed to eliminate the need for separate external memory chips in most applications.
The chip's enhanced filter coprocessor (EFCOP) processes filter algorithms in parallel with core operation, allowing functions such as echo cancelling and voice coding to run in parallel. Additional performance gains can be achieved through the use of the large on-chip RAM, thus reducing wait states that are incurred when accessing external memory.
The 56311 employs a new fabrication process technology (0.18 µm Leff) that allows a smaller die size, low power consumption, and higher speeds of 150 MHz. It uses split power supplies to separate the input/output (I/O) and peripheral sections, which operate at 3.3 volts, from the processor core, which runs at 1.8 volts. This approach allows the rest of the system to maintain a 3.3 volt external I/O environment while minimizing voltage and power dissipation in the chip's internal logic. The 56311 maintains compatibility with all other DSP56300 devices, including application code, simulation models, and system development tools.
Motorola provides the Suite56 software development tools and integrated development environment (IDE) supporting the 56311, as well as a low-cost evaluation module (EVM) and hardware development platform. The Motorola Suite56 tools are complemented by a range of third-party tools including: Tasking's embedded development environment; a debugger from Domain Technologies; the RTXC real-time operating system from Embedded System Products; the Wisp operating system from Wind River Systems; and system simulation environments provided by Cadence, Synopsys, and Mentor Graphics.
Samples of the 56311 are expected to be available in September of this year, with production volumes expected in late fourth quarter. The Motorola suggested list price is $34.30 in 50,000-piece quantities.
Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector
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