Date: 19/01/2010

New Blackfin processors and evaluation kits at much affordable prices

Analog Devices Inc (ADI) has rolled out new Blackfin BF50x series processor family and evaluation kits for converged digital signal processing (DSP) and control processing (normal microcontroller processing) applications. Blackfin BF50x series embed precision analog functional blocks such as ADCs and other signal conversion devices to achieve improved precision, and apply advanced power control techniques to cut the power consumption in industrial electronics applications. The new kit for this processor family costs$199 and called as EZ-KIT Lite evaluation platform for the Blackfin BF50x series.

ADI says, Blackfin BF50x processors deliver up to 400MHz of performance at a price point where 150-200MHz clock speeds have been the norm, extending high-performance digital signal processing capabilities to a wider range of applications, including those previously serviced by high-end microcontrollers. This performance headroom enables designers to achieve greater system functionality and precision through the use of more sophisticated algorithms, and allows greater flexibility to optimize system interface and control capabilities. Designers are also enabled to utilize more advanced software tools and libraries for code generation, which helps shorten product development cycles and speed time to market - without compromising on processor cost.


Blackfin BF50x processors comes with the option of integrated dual-SAR 12-bit ADI ADCs for more accurate data conversion and 4MB of on-board executable flash memory.


ADI claims this is the highest performing DSP with integrated ADC. No other DSP with integrated ADC matches the 400MHz performance of Blackfin BF50x processors.

If your application requires precision analog and also high performance DSP, this device looks to be to be the one of the product worth to be evaluated due to its built in dual-SAR ADC integrated within the Blackfin BF506F, which said to deliver twice the effective resolution of other DSP-integrated 12-bit ADCs, with industry-leading 11.5 effective number of bits (ENOB). The right applications suggested include servo controls and motor controls, energy-efficient industrial control and automation systems spanning power inverters, UPS, power and motion control, as well as smart metering and advanced sensing applications including power metering and flow/level metering. The Blackfin BF50x series also introduces a new peripheral to the Blackfin portfolio - the ADC Control Module (ACM) -, which provides a low-overhead, precise means to synchronize ADC sampling with external events.


Berkeley Design Technology, Inc.'s (BDTI) DSP Kernel Benchmarks results for the Blackfin BF504 place it ahead of all other competing, BDTI-benchmarked processors in terms of speed-per-dollar ratio for fixed-point processors. The Blackfin BF504 obtained a BDTIsimMark2000/$ score of 498, based on a BDTIsimMark2000 of 2240 and a cost of $4.50. The BDTIsimMark2000 provides a summary measure of signal processing speed distilled from the BDTI DSP Kernel Benchmarks, which are among the most widely used digital signal processing benchmarks in the world. For more information see www.BDTI.com.

Jerry McGuire, vice president, DSP division, Analog Devices, Inc. said "Designers who have previously been constrained by the performance profiles of low-cost processors and microcontrollers can now overcome these limitations to realize new levels of performance and cost efficiency via an elegant, unified processing platform,"
"Blackfin BF50x processors provide the performance headroom and integrated peripherals to drive greater innovation in embedded applications, with low-cost evaluation kits and a rich ecosystem of software tools to ensure unmatched value."


Availability: Now

Price:
The BF50x family includes the
BF504: starting at $4.50
BF504F: with integrated flash memory starting at $6.50
BF506F: with integrated flash memory and ADC starting at $10.60
All prices are based on 10,000 unit quantities.
EZ-KIT Lite kit: Each $199.

To know more visit www.analog.com