TI and RidgeRun Deliver Linux System-Level DSPs

By
iApplianceWeb
(12/11/01, 08:39:19 AM EDT)

Texas Instruments and RidgeRun have released an end-to-end embedded Linux development suite for TI's new system-level digital signal processors (DSPs). The combination of the RidgeRun DSPLinux operating system and Board Support Package (BSP) with TI's power-efficient, programmable DSPs will reduce cost, power consumption, and board space by 40 percent for designers of real-time embedded applications.

The package allows developers of applications ranging from wireless data, smart pen pads, voice recognition, text-to-speech, access point controllers, network security, industrial control, and emergency radio to take advantage of the flexibility and connectivity of DSPLinux. The solution also provides an easy way to access real-time algorithms running on the code-compatible TI DSPs from the Linux kernel.

RidgeRun's embedded Linux development tools include command-line build tools that support TI's TMS320C54x DSPs, as well as the ARM7, a Linux JTAG-based GDB debugger, and a Linux kernel with DSP/BIOS bridge support for C54x DSP targets. Designers can also employ over 1,000 existing operating system middleware software packages, communications stacks, and other applications available today for the ARM7. This level of development support and intellectual property, along with the immediate availability of the C5470 and C5471 DSPs, provides critical resources necessary to create new products for a broad array of applications that can exploit the advantages that system-level integration provides.

The two DSPs combine the ARM7 Thumb RISC processor with support for DSPLinux. This combination delivers native DSP-enabled performance to low cost RISC-based systems, eliminating the need for designers to move to a more expensive RISC architecture. The heterogeneous dual-core architecture of TI's system-level DSPs allows optimized task partitioning for increased system performance, using the right processor for the right task.

The C5470 and C5471 DSPs are available today in production quantities. The C5471 EVM and DSPLinux bundle, as well as the C5470 EVM and separately purchased DSPLinux BSP are available now for ordering with shipments beginning in January 2002.

Link:
Texas Instruments