Analog Devices 82-003536-01 manual Introduction to SHARC Processors

Introduction to SHARC Processors

variety of applications. This capability is especially relevant in consumer, automotive, and professional audio where the algorithms related to stereo channel processing can effectively utilize the SIMD architecture.

Third generation SHARC products employ an enhanced SIMD architec- ture that extends CPU performance to an impressive 400 MHz/2.4 GFLOPS. These products also integrate a variety of ROM configurations and audio-centric peripherals designed to decrease time to market and reduce the overall bill of materials costs. Third generation SHARC audio processors feature a high level of integrated on-chip peripherals, such as multichannel audio surround sound decoders and postprocessing algo- rithms, S/PDIF transmitter/receiver, high performance asynchronous sample rate conversion, PWM channels, code security, and DTCP cipher for protection of digital data in automobiles. A number of third genera- tion processors are also pin compatible for use with a single hardware platform. This increased level of performance and peripheral integration allow third generation SHARC processors to be considered as single chip solutions for a variety of audio markets.

Fourth generation SHARC products not only increase the core perfor- mance to an industry-leading 450 MHz/2.7 GFLOPS but also boost the performance with the addition of accelerator blocks implementing the FIR, IIR, and FFT functions to off-load core activities from being con- sumed by filter processing. Fourth generation SHARC processors integrate some of the highest memory on-chip RAM with a capacity of 5M bits. Extra memory capacity is further enhanced with the innovative VISA (variable instruction set architecture) mode where programs can save up to 30% of code size by reducing the opcodes for many instructions. For industrial and automotive applications, fourth generation processors also incorporate a thermal diode to allow customers the flexibility to operate in higher ambient operating temperature conditions without sacrificing on overall performance. DTCP cipher for protection of digital data in auto- motive applications is also integrated in automotive parts.

Getting Started With SHARC Processors 1-7