Texas Instruments Introduces Three Record-Setting, High-Performance Programmable DSPs to Fast Forward Internet-Age Communications
- Up to 10x the Performance for Wireless and Broadband Applications Makes Converged Video, Voice and Data a Reality
- Up to 15x the Performance for Advanced Imaging/Video Enables Next Generation Communications
HOUSTON (February 12, 2001) -- TI today unveiled three record-setting DSPs that deliver the fastest digital signal processor (DSP) technology ever for next-generation advances in communications such as third-generation (3G) wireless, broadband and imaging. The devices, which realize the high-performance promise of TI's TMS320C64x(tm) DSP core introduced last year, combine unprecedented speed with very low power dissipation. These programmable DSPs allow manufacturers to offer real-time, high-resolution images and video over wireless and broadband infrastructures for the first time. (www.dspvillage.ti.com/c64xnewdsps)
"We have tapped the promise of the Internet age. These new programmable DSPs will make possible things we have only dreamed or talked about before -- wireless streaming video and the full convergence of video, voice and data on all broadband networks both wired and wireless," said Tom Engibous, TI chairman, president and chief executive officer. "And we can do it at an unprecedented speed while using a fraction of the power of today's most advanced DSPs."
Highest Performance DSPs on the Market
The three new devices, the TMS320C6414, TMS320C6415 and TMS320C6416, will allow a minimum of 10 times the performance of today's fastest DSP, with performance levels increasing exponentially depending on the application. Operating at speeds up to 600 MHz and computing up to nearly five billion instructions per second, the new devices are perfectly suited for the high demands of today's communications industry. With these performance levels, it is now possible and practical to deliver huge amounts of personalized data, video, and voice over a single broadband line into the home. They also make it possible for 3G wireless basestations to send multimedia signals to wireless handsets.
"TI's early release of a 300-MHz C6203 DSP solution was an important factor when entering the 3G wireless market," said Dan Redin, general manager of wideband radio networks, Ericsson. "The new C64x™ DSP fulfills our requirements when it comes to delivering the high-performance 3G base stations that service providers are demanding."
Low Power Enables Key Functions
The high level of performance is coupled with an equally impressive level of power efficiency. TI has employed many of the power-saving techniques that it created in the development of the TMS320C55x™ core, the industry leader in power efficiency. As a result, the three new devices will use only one third of the power of current high-performance DSPs.
This excellent power efficiency will allow manufacturers to pack more channels of content into smaller spaces. This channel density is crucial for the emerging broadband and wireless applications because it helps drive down costs for consumers while it increases capacity for vendors.
Next Generation Communications are a Reality Today
With the implementation of these chips, TI is enabling breakthroughs in the broadband, wireless and imaging markets, all of which rely heavily on high performance with corresponding low power.
"TI's code-compatible roadmap map clearly demonstrates their commitment to maintaining leadership in DSP, with advances addressing key high-growth markets like 3G wireless infrastructure and broadband communications," said Will Strauss, president, Forward Concepts. "TI's three new DSPs are smaller, faster and more power-efficient, and the on-board coprocessors of the C6416 provide a tremendous boost for the communications infrastructure. These new chips really kick!"
Broadband Communications
With up to 10 times the performance of any DSP for broadband, TI is enabling next-generation advances today. Just as voice over Internet packet (VoIP) has exploded as the first "killer application" for broadband, TI's new DSPs will make video and images available in the same real-time operations. Manufacturers will be able to pack multiple channels into one system allowing fast, clear converged, video, voice and data.
Imaging
For imaging, the breakthroughs are of an even greater magnitude. TI's new DSPs offer up to 15 times the performance of any other chip on the market. With the growth of broadband and wireless communications, manufacturers have been searching for a means by which to lay, implement and send high-resolution, real-time video and images. The new DSPs from TI have the performance to do this with headroom left to do the communications as well.
Third-Generation Wireless Infrastructure
More than any other, the wireless market depends upon the tradeoffs between high performance and low power that only TI offers. TI's new DSPs give the industry's highest performance for the wireless market using one-third the power of existing devices. This will give manufacturers the ability to send and distribute video, data and Internet music wirelessly to individual handsets. Streaming video will be sent right to your pocket.
"Nortel Networks chose TI's C6416 DSP because it provides the best available base band processing costs per channel while providing the high performance and flexibility required for 3G wireless base station transceivers," said Hermon Pon, chief technology officer, wireless Internet, Nortel Networks.
"For these industries and others like them, what was on the horizon has arrived," said Engibous. "Now it's our job to look to the horizon again."
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