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Blackfin Processor Architecture Overview
Blackfin Processors are a new breed of 16-32-bit embedded processor designed specifically to meet the computational demands and power constraints of today's embedded audio, video and communications applications. Based on the Micro Signal Architecture (MSA) jointly developed with Intel Corporation, Blackfin Processors combine a 32-bit RISC-like instruction set and dual 16-bit multiply accumulate (MAC) signal processing functionality with the ease-of-use attributes found in general-purpose microcontrollers. This combination of processing attributes enables Blackfin Processors to perform equally well in both signal processing and control processing applications-in many cases deleting the requirement for separate heterogeneous processors. This capability greatly simplifies both the hardware and software design implementation tasks.
The Blackfin Processor family also offers industry leading power consumption performance down to 0.8V. This combination of high performance and low power is essential in meeting the needs of today's and future signal processing applications including broadband wireless, audio/video capable Internet appliances, and mobile communications. All Blackfin Processors offer fundamental benefits to the system designer which include:
- High-performance signal processing and efficient control processing capability enabling a variety of new markets and applications.
- Dynamic Power Management (DPM) enabling the system designer to specifically tailor the device power consumption profile to the end system requirements.
- Easy to use mixed 16-/32-bit Instruction Set Architecture and development tool suite ensuring that product development time is minimized.
Blackfin Highlights:
- Single instruction-set architecture with processing performance that meets or beats the competition's DSP product range - and provides better power, cost, and memory efficiency.
- 16/32-bit architecture enables next generation embedded applications.
- Control, signal, and multimedia processing in a single core.
- Performance tunable for signal processing or power consumption through dynamic power management.
- Portfolio of code- and pin-compatible products. Under $5 to 1,500 MIPS - leverages engineering development across a wide range of end products.
- Twice the performance and half the power of competing DSPs*, enabling breakthrough specs and new applications.
- Quickly adopted into thousands of designs, supported by multiple tool chains and operating systems.
- Increases developer productivity.
- Minimal optimization required due to powerful software development environment coupled with core performance.
- Extensive third party ecosystem mitigates risk.
- Supported by industry-leading development tools, RTOS, software providers, and system integration partners.
Applications:
- Audio
- Security & Surveillance
- Automotive
- Test & Measurement
- Process Control
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