Analog Devices (News - Alert) has introduced the Blackfin BF51x series, the latest addition to its low-power convergent-processor family. The new Blackfin processors include the BF512, BF514, BF516 and BF518. 

 

All the processors are single-core convergent processors. Like traditional digital signal processors (DSPs), the BF51x processors feature high clock rates and low power dissipation per unit of processing--MMACs/mW.

 

In addition, similar to multiple control units (MCUs), these convergent processors are operating system (OS) and compiler-friendly.

 

Available at clock speeds of up to 400 MHz—800 MMACS—all four devices of 16/32-bit BF51x also include 116 kBytes of RAM plus an optional 4 Mbits of serial (SPI) flash memory. 

 

Additionally, the devices integrate Lockbox security for code and content protection, support for sixteen stereo I2S digital-audio channels, twelve peripheral DMA channels, and a memory controller for glueless connection to multiple banks of external SDRAM, SRAM, Flash, or ROM. 

 

Company officials said that each processor features two dual-channel synchronous serial communication ports (SPORTs), an hparallel peripheral interface (PPI), an I2C compatible two-wire interface (TWI), dual PC-compatible UARTs, and 2 SPI-compatible serial peripheral interface ports.

 

All of the new devices, delivering 8.5 MMACs/mW (100 MHz), include dynamic power management (DPM) functionality. During program execution, this functionality lets developers match the processor’s power consumption to processing requirements.

 

These members of the BF51x family also include a new 3-phase PWM generation unit for inductive motor control applications and a quadrature interface for rotary encoders.

 

In the Blackfin (News - Alert) processor family, the BF512 is the new low-cost entry point. This device is ideal for “cost-sensitive” applications including portable test equipment, embedded modems, biometrics, and consumer audio, said officials.

 

While the other three processors BF514, BF516, and BF518, all extend the convergent processor family further into the portable application space with on-chip removable-storage interfaces. 

 

The three devices include secure digital input output (SDIO) for connectivity to standard flash memory and Wi-Fi cards; a power-optimized CE-ATA storage interface for small form-factor handheld and consumer electronics applications.

 

Also, the devices include an embedded multimedia card (eMMC) interface for integrating mass-storage flash memory in a wide range of consumer electronics, wireless, navigation, and industrial applications.

 

BF516 adds an Ethernet 10/100 MAC with Media Independent Interface (MII) and Reduced Media Independent Interface (RMII) for developers of network-connected industrial and instrumentation applications.

 

Integrated for industrial, portable and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) applications, the BF518 Ethernet MAC supports the IEEE (News - Alert)-1588 clock synchronization protocol for networked measurement and control systems.

 

Officials said that with BF51x Blackfin processors, a single architecture enables full VoIP telephony functionality in a unified software development environment.

 

“GIPS VoiceEngine media processing capabilities paired with Analog Devices' Blackfin processors can assure customers a consistently high quality VoIP experience,” said Larry Golob, senior director for business development at Global IP Solutions (News - Alert), (GIPS).

 

He also said in a statement that the performance, power and functionality profile of Blackfin is a “superb fit” for VoIP technology.