New DSP enables diverse end equipment

MARCH 26--Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI; Houston, TX; www.ti.com) has unveiled the newest member of the TMS320C64x digital-signal processor (DSP) generation. With this device, TI is addressing lower-power, lower-cost performance-efficient applications, such as residential media servers, security/surveillance systems, telecom/datacom systems, and hardcopy appliances. For more information, see www.dspvillage.ti.com/silicon6411p.

"With the new C6411 DSP, TI has handed developers of price- and power-sensitive applications even more functionality for their dollar," said Will Strauss of market-research firm Forward Concepts. "This will give manufacturers an entry into the C64x generation and enable more features at a lower price point for embedded applications."

With a 250-mW core at 1.0 V, the C6411 DSP is reportedly the lowest-power DSP in this class on the market and still delivers 300 MHz/2400 MIP/1200 MMACS of performance. It is available for $39 in 10K-unit quantities. The new chip enables rapid development of applications that require high degrees of performance and programmability yet also demand high power efficiency at a low price point.