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Sundance's New Module Allows Designers to Develop DSP-Based, Internet-Ready Applications

Posted on: Friday, 9 January 2004, 06:00 CST

RENO, Nev., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sundance today announced the immediate availability of SMT363-XC2, an innovative expansion module that provides a unique means of connecting high-speed digital signal processors (DSPs) to the Internet. As the first of its kind, the module allows design engineers to quickly and easily Web-enable their DSP-based applications.

In the past, DSP based applications had to have a host computer of some sort for communication with Ethernet/Internet. The new SMT363-XC2 allows a sophisticated collection of DSPs to connect to Ethernet/Internet directly and without the involvement of a host computer. It is now possible for a developer sitting anywhere in the world to develop applications running on a multi-DSP system physically located thousands of miles away as long as there is an internet connection. The application thus developed can be loaded to the DSP hardware and controlled remotely through the internet/Ethernet.

"By leveraging the SMT363-XC2, designers will be able to create Internet- ready applications more rapidly than ever before," said Flemming Christensen, Managing Director, Sundance. "This added functionality will be particularly beneficial for applications, such as spectrum analysis systems, digital radios, telecommunications systems and security and military applications, whose usability is enhanced by the added ability to transfer data over the Internet."

The new design features a Texas Instruments 225 MHz TMS320C6713(TM) DSP, an ARM CPU and a Xilinx Virtex-2 XC2V1000 FPGA. By combining a DSP with the RISC processor, the SMT363-XC2 optimizes the performance of both real-time, processing-intensive tasks, and control functions. The inclusion of the Virtex-2 FPGA brings added flexibility to system designers and can support applications involving high data rate.

The module combines a NetSilicon Net-50 ARM chip and an integrated MAC controller for direct connection to an Ethernet network. In addition, SMT363-XC2 can also be interfaced to a range of other DSP and other I/O units.

This design enables a variety of applications to operate at maximum efficiency, while providing the critical Internet access. For instance, in a car anti-collision radar system, the FPGA interfaces to a radar transceiver and the DSP does the processing, while the ARM chip communicates the control data to the car's onboard computer via its Ethernet connection or to a remote computer or device via wireless Internet connection -- all seamlessly. Thus, the design optimizes system performance, as the most appropriate devices perform specific tasks.

Easy Field Programmability

The DSP/FPGA on the SMT363-XC2 is programmable through an Ethernet connection, or it can function as a stand-alone unit. The SMT363-XC2, for example, can be interfaced to a camera or microphone via the FPGA. The DSP can then process the acquired data and compare it with a pre-loaded pattern. Variations can then be sent via the Ethernet/Internet connection back to the base. The same Ethernet can transmit commands, sound and pictures back and forth between the DSP and the remote station for further processing or inspection. Thus, the user can carry out the entire development and operation remotely.

The C6713 device is based on TI's high-performance, advanced VelociTI VLIW architecture, making this DSP an excellent choice for multi-channel and multi- function applications. Sundance selected this processor because it offers performance of up to 1350 MFLOPS at a 225 MHz clock rate and represents a very cost-effective solution to high-performance DSP programming applications.

Working together with Sundance, we've created products that allow developers to push the design envelope," said Jacqui Allen Swift, TMS320C67x(TM) product marketing manager. "The SMT363-XC2 further demonstrates this commitment and for the first time provides DSP designers with a simple solution to ensuring their applications are Internet ready."

SMT363-XC2 is a single-width module with 16 megabytes of SDRAM each for the ARM Net50 processor and the DSP, as well as 8 Mb of flash dual-port memory between the processors. It also has four ComPorts, a TI Module (TIM) standard-compatible Global Bus Connector and a 12-month warranty. Prices start from US $1,500 each on quantities of 100 units.

Processing of Ethernet/Internet transaction is performed by TI's C6713 DSP and Net50 processor using the SMT6060 software. For OEMs who wish to implement their own algorithms, TI provides Code Composer Studio(TM) Development Tools, the industry's most sophisticated DSP Integrated Development Environment and the DSP/BIOS(TM) real-time kernel. The ARM sections of the SMT363-XC2's Net 50 processor can be programmed via NetSilicon's Linux or NetOS.

Additionally, Sundance Carriers (SMT310Q for PCI bus, SMT300Q for cPCI bus, SMT329 for VME bus etc.) offer compatibility with 3L Diamond RTOS and a variety of available Sundance DSP, I/O and Communication modules to provide an optimal environment for multiprocessing and multifunction systems.

For more information, pricing and availability please contact:

Europe: Sundance Multiprocessor Technology Ltd. -

tel: +44 1494 793298

United States: Sundance Digital Processing Inc. -

tel: +1 (775) 8273103

About Sundance DSP Inc.

Sundance specializes in the design and manufacture of high-performance processor modules for use in multiple processor applications. Core skills include the application of high-performance DSPs, FPGAs, PCI and Digital Video Interfaces. The company was founded by the current directors in 1989 and has offices in the USA, UK and Italy.

About the Texas Instruments Third Party Program

Sundance is a member of the TI TMS320(TM) third party program, the most extensive collection of global DSP development support in the industry. With more than 650 independent companies and consultants, TI's customers have easy access to a broad range of application software, development hardware and software and consulting services. For more information on the TI third party program, please visit http://www.ti.com/sc/3p

This press release is available at http://www.sundance.com/s363-xc2_pr.htm and as a Zipped WORD file on ftp://ftp2.sundance.com/Pub/documentation/pdf-files/s363-xc2.zip

Sundance Digital Processing Inc.

CONTACT: USA, Nory Nakhaee, +1-775-827-3103, or fax, +1-775-827-3664, orNoryN@sundance.com , or Europe, Flemming Christensen, +44-0-1494-793298, orfax, +44-0-1494-793168, or FlemmingC@sundance.com , both of Sundance DigitalProcessing Inc.

Web site: http://www.sundance.com/http://www.ti.com/sc/3phttp://www.sundance.com/s363-xc2_pr.htmftp://ftp2.sundance.com/Pub/documentation/pdf-files/s363-xc2.zip

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