Fact Sheet

TI Semiconductors: The World Leader in DSP Solutions

Mass Storage Technology Fact Sheet

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Uniprocessor technology cuts development time in half

The ’C27x architecture features two innovations that work together to cut application development in half. A highly efficient C compiler reduces the up-front development time, while the real-time emulation component significantly decreases the time spent in debugging.

Highly efficient C compiler

To provide a more programmer-friendly alternative to assembly language, a complete C language programming environment has been provided for the ’C27x. This environment utilizes one of the most code-efficient C compilers ever developed, actually limiting code growth to less than 10 percent — far below the 30 percent or more typically encountered in MCUs. The ’C27x architecture and C compiler were designed in tan-dem, therefore the compiler takes advantage of the system’s efficient code features, like the read-modify-write instruction set. The C compiler offers several benefits to the designer of firmware and servo control applications. The efficiency of the compiler supports the desire of many programmers to use C in embedded systems, due to its ease of use, portability and maintenance, and enables even the most time-critical code to be written in a high-level language. Time-consuming assembly programming is virtually eliminated.

Advanced emulation capability

An important innovation for system debug and development is inclusion of TI’s new real-time debug technology in the ’C27x hardware. Used in conjunction with the integrated JTAG-based or parallel visibility ports, this unique technology enables developers to see and modify internal registers and memory while the processor continues to operate at full speed in its normal mode. Furthermore, designers can service real-time interrupts while single-stepping through non-time critical code.

Real-Time Data Exchange (RTDX™) is an advanced DSP analysis technology that provides a real-time visibility port, or window, into device performance. With RTDX, developers can transmit and receive data between the host and target DSP at speeds of up to 30 Mb/sec. They can monitor, analyze and modify code executing at 100 MHz without impacting results or halting applications.

Through this window, users can display the state of the system graphically or save the data to a file while the processor is running at full speed. With greater visibility into system operations, developers can easily optimize their designs and maximize their system performance in a shorter time.

For example, RTDX can provide the servo designer with a means to plot the servo error signal during seek or track operations and better optimize mechanical performance. Interface designers can use this unique debug capability to monitor and analyze buffer fill rates, or to optimize buffer sizes and performance within their system.

RTDX also offers the ability for manufacturing customers to monitor and test products while on the production line. Production problems or faults can be detected while the system continues to run, enabling the user to realize higher overall manufacturing yields.

In addition to the JTAG-based real-time debug, an available ICE system provides full 100 MHz trace of all executed code and accessed memory. The system records all core bus activities and executed instructions, along with precise timing information.

Break or trigger events can be generated using thousands of address comparators and a sophisticated state machine. The ICE system provides reconfigurable on-chip memory, and can even be used with ’C27x devices that feature custom ASIC logic.

Design reduces overall system cost

The 'C27x architecture reduces system cost through several mechanisms. For systems that typically utilize two processors, such as high-performance HDD or DVD, the integration of DSP and MCU technology on a single chip enables designers to avoid the cost of multiple processors. The code compactness of the architecture reduces memory requirements and a small core size meets the needs of the most cost constrained applications.

The power of the architecture also opens the door for hardware functions to be replaced with software. For example, integrated DSP-based adaptive controls can help the manufacturer eliminate or loosen tolerance on mechanical components.

Code compatibility

The ’C27x architecture retains code compatibility with TI’s widely used ‘C2xLP DSP core, but with significantly higher performance. In this way, designers looking to enhance their mass storage applications preserve their initial investment and realize a true ease of migration to the more powerful ’C27x series.

Third party support

TI’s Storage Products Group offers versatile in-house tools and hardware/firmware support personnel to aid our ’C27x customers in the development of customized embedded processor solutions. In addition, the ’C27x is supported by TI’s extensive third party network. This network provides a wide range of software and hardware tools, including debuggers and real-time operating systems from both the DSP and MCU industries.