Date: 03/04/2012

1-GHz, dual-core, Blackfin processors for embedded vision applications

Analog Devices has introduced a series of 1-GHz, dual-core, Blackfin processors. The ADSP-BF608 and ADSP-BF609 are optimized for embedded vision applications, featuring a high performance video analytics accelerator, called the Pipelined Vision Processor (PVP). The PVP is comprised of a set of configurable processing blocks designed to accelerate up to five concurrent image algorithms. These processors are ideal for many applications such as automotive advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), industrial machine vision, and security/surveillance systems.

The ADSP-BF606 and ADSP-BF607 are also available without the PVP and are designed to provide flexibility for a wide variety of general purpose digital signal processing applications such as wireless communications, industrial process control, and electric power grid monitoring/protection.

These four new processors all have two 500MHz cores, the largest on-chip memory available within the Blackfin family, and have been optimized for low power operation. Additional features which are optimized for power efficiency include a new high-bandwidth switched fabric data movement infrastructure, a rich peripheral set and safety oriented features. Typical power consumption for the BF609 is 400mWatts.

"Embedded vision technology enables electronic products to be much more intelligent and responsive," said Jeff Bier, Founder of the Embedded Vision Alliance (www.Embedded-Vision.com). "Vision algorithms are computationally demanding and very diverse. Hence, high-performance, cost-effective programmable processors are essential for these applications. I applaud Analog Devices' leadership in fielding a powerful architecture targeting embedded vision applications."

"With over 25 billion mathematical operations per second available from the PVP, this accelerator combined with two Blackfin cores provides the basis for a very powerful and flexible processor" said Colin Duggan, director of marketing, Analog Devices, Inc. "Our goal with these new Blackfin processors is to offer a high level of analytic functions at a great price with very low power consumption, enabling a much broader deployment of embedded vision systems."

Pricing for the ADSP-BF60x series of processors starts at $15 in 1K quantities, silicon samples are available today. Cross Core Embedded Studio, the ADSP-BF609 EZ-KIT development board, and a family of in-circuit emulators are available now to assist designers in their development with these new Blackfin processors.
Visit www.analog.com\blackfin for more info.