Emerging DaVinci DSPs Double Performance, Slash BOM

Tailored for multi-channel video security and infrastructure applications, the TMS320DM647 and TMS320DM648 take position as the latest members of the DaVinci family of digital signal processors (DSPs). While providing a seamless migration path and codec customization for existing video processing applications based on the TMS320DM642, the DSPs deliver twice the performance at a lower overall cost, in the area of a $40 reduction in the bill of materials (BOM). Innovations contributing to the two-fold increase in performance include a 20% better cycle performance, 20% to 30% percent higher code density, twice as many 16-bit MMACs per cycle, four times the EDMA bandwidth, and complete code compatibility with the C64xTM core. An increase in clock speed and faster H.264 processing due to the integrated video and imaging coprocessor also boosts performance. The processors also support dual streaming, allowing both a monitoring and a recording stream for every video channel. Sampling in June, the 720-MHz version of the TMS320DM647 will cost $39.95 with the TMS320DM648 DSP priced at $49.95 each/10,000. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC., Dallas, TX. (800) 477-8924.