micro-line DSP Boards Target OEM Developers
Low cost embedded DSP boards featuring data acquisition and 1394 FireWire

ITHACA, NY, May 28th, 2001: Traquair Data Systems, Inc. introduced the micro-line family of embedded DSP products, offering small, low cost, modular DSP, data acquisition and 1394 FireWire communications hardware solutions. Targeted applications include embedded real-time systems, communications, imaging, and multi-media.

micro-line DSP boards offer a choice of TMS320C6211 or TMS320C6711 DSP processor, with up to 2MBytes of SBRAM or 32MBytes of SDRAM, and up to 512kBytes of FLASH ROM, all in a small 98mm x 67mm form factor. Users also have access to two TMS320C6000™ McBSP ports and a programmable digital I/O interface.

Hardware configurations can be completely stand-alone, with the DSP utilizing its FLASH ROM for booting application code. Integration with computers, if required, can be achieved at up to 230kbaud via RS-232, up to 400Mbits/sec using the optional IEEE 1394 FireWire interface, or via JTAG for debugging.

The flexible micro-line architecture allows the DSP board to be enhanced with data acquisition and 1394 FireWire communications capabilities. Up to seven data acquisition and 1394 FireWire interface boards can accompany each DSP board. The additional boards are controlled and accessed by the DSP processor, via its 20-bit address and 32-bit data busses - propagated vertically through the boards, mounted as a single stack, one board on top of the other.

micro-line Embedded DSP System
DSP Board, 1394 FireWire Interface & Power Supply/Carrier Board

“The modular nature of micro-line systems offers OEM developers with tremendous flexibility,” commented Steve Bradshaw, President and Technical Director of Traquair. “Peripheral interfacing can be added on an as needed basis. Additionally, by using the DSP processors own I/O bus, users can very easily design in their own cost engineered options with minimal effort. It is a very open architecture”.

OEM developers have the option of mounting the DSP and interface boards onto hardware of their own design, or onto optionally available power supply/carrier boards.

The IEEE 1394 FireWire capability is achieved by adding the SC1394a interface board. Offering three 1394a compliant FireWire interface ports, the SC1394a allows for integration within a high bandwidth, hot swappable, 400Mbit/sec serial communications environment that is ideal for interfacing with physically distributed resources such as custom data acquisition front ends, digital cameras, and computers.