SPOX-MP
for TMS320C4x
by Spectron Microsystems

Software Overview

SPOX is a highly-modular and configurable operating system environment that can be tailored for a 
variety of different hardware platforms. An important benefit of SPOX is reusibilty, meaning that a 
tested and documented body of off-the-shelf software can be embedded in a wide range of systems and 
need not be redundantly developed with each new application.
SPOX-KNL, the core of the SPOX family of DSP products, is a deterministic real-time multi-tasking 
kernel designed to meet the demanding time and space requirements of DSP applications. SPOX-MP is 
an enhanced multiprocessor version of SPOX-KNL. SPOX-MP features dynamic data and message routing, 
table-driven network configuration, a global program name space, and multiprocessor IPC facilities 
like mailboxes and semaphores that are tightly integrated with the kernel. SPOX- MP will work with 
any multiprocessor topology including standalone hypercubes, master-slave configurations and 
attached multiprocessors.
See also SPOX-KNL, SPOX-DBUG, SPOX-MATH and SPOX-LINK for more information on related tools for DSP 
development.

Features and Benefits

•	Single-processor programming model allows for coding and debugging on a single processor
•	Global name space simplifies global object sharing; task dispatcher simplifies programming effort
•	Broadcast messaging simplifies data communication
•	Flood-fill boot loader enables a single executable image to be automatically distributed across 
multiple processors
•	Dynamic data/message routing supports diverse topologies

Processor and System Requirements

SPOX application programs are generated on a host computer system using version 4.6 of the C 
compiler, assembler, and linker available from Texas Instruments.  Some facility must be provided 
for loading executable program images from your host computer on to your target hardware. Minimum 
host system configurations are as follows:

•	SPOX-KNL for PC-based systems:
		386-compatible processor (or higher)
		DOS version 5.0 (or higher)
		4-MB memory
		1.2-MB floppy drive
•	SPOX-KNL for Sun-4 workstations
		SunOS version 4.1 (or higher)
		3.5-inch floppy drive
•	Platforms supported
		PC, Sun
•	Devices supported
		TMS320C4x

Availability

•	Software
		SPOX-MP Run-Time Support Library is available for the TMS320C4x processors.
•	Documentation
		SPOX-MP Programming Guide 
•	Warranty
		90-day warranty against defects in manufacturing. Maintenance agreements available separately 
from Spectron.
•	License
		One developer license and one run-time license for PC compatible computer or Sun workstation. 
Additional host license also available.

Company Background and Contact Information

Spectron Microsystems, founded in 1987, is the leading provider of DSP system software and DSP 
integration services to multimedia, commercial embedded and military embedded customers. Based in 
Santa Barbara, California, the company was the first independent software vendor to manufacture and 
sell products for programmable 32- and 16-bit Digital Signal Processing chips. From the 
introduction of SPOX in 1988 to the present, Spectron has maintained its leadership through 
on-going R&D efforts in support of the latest DSP silicon, DSP hardware and DSP applications. In 
1995, Spectron Microsystems became a wholly owned business unit of Dialogic Corporation, 
Parsipanny, New Jersey.

Contact: 	 Spectron Microsystems
		 315 Bollay Drive
		 Santa Barbara, CA  93117  USA
		 (805) 968-5100
		 Fax:  (805) 968-9770
	 	 www:  http://www.spectron.com

		 European Marketing Center:
		 Spectron Microsystems
		 Merrion Business Centre
		 20 Upper Merrion Street
		 Dublin 2, Ireland
		 +353 1 676 1291
		 Fax:  +353 1 676 2125