DSP Selection Guide

Introduction to TI DSPs
Getting Started with TI DSPs
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Web-Based DSP Support Tool
Available Now
Responding to the demand from engineers
wanting to become more familiar
with DSP, TI launched an easy-to-use,
web-based tool that helps customers
progress their designs from inspiration to
implementation. TI's Getting Started with
DSP website (www.ti.com/gettingstarted)
provides an easy-to-access
introduction on DSP to decrease the
learning curve and accelerate products to
market.
With the variety of applications utilizing
digital signal processing, the number of
first-time DSP designers needing guidance
on getting started with DSP is
expanding. TI’s web-based support tool
reduces complexity, and leaves engineers
with a clear roadmap of actions and
activities by answering the following primary
questions:
• What is DSP
• Is DSP right for you
• Which TI DSP should I use
• How do I get going
• What else can help me
The easily navigated site describes digital
signal processing and offers extensive
training. In addition, the site discusses
how signal processing tasks can be
implemented on a DSP as well as when
to use such a device.
Since personal electronic devices have
power, performance and price demands
that are perfectly suited to a certain type
of DSP, the site also aids designers in
determining which TI DSP platform is
right for their applications. Providing the
customers a clear understanding of each
option, it connects to information such as
white papers and technical briefs.
Aside from being a tutorial on TI DSPs,
the site also offers precise information
on how to begin designing, what problems
to look for as well as how to solve
those problems. With resources available
both on and off the Web, customers can
minimize their design time and employ
the industry knowledge of TI’s in-house
experts.
The support continues even once the
design process commences. Texas
Instruments developed the industry’s
most comprehensive support network
that can be accessed using the new
on-line tool. Building on the premise that
a supplier should facilitate the design
process, the network encompasses training,
technical information and access to
experts. TI will be completely supportive
throughout the entire DSP design
process.
To assist you in getting started with DSP,
TI offers the free “The Essential Guide to
Getting Started with DSP” CD-ROM
which includes a variety of resources to
start your DSP design. To order your free
CD, visit:
www.ti.com/getstartedwithdsp. Or, to
start utilizing the Getting Started with
DSP web-based tool, visit
www.ti.com/gettingstarted
Basic Steps to Starting
Development
• Step One: Selecting a DSP Processor
If you are not sure which TI DSP platform will
best suit your application, visit Which TI DSP is
Right for Me to assist you in your decision.
• Step Two: Evaluation of DSP Technology
and Tools
The Evaluation stage includes learning how to
use a DSP, evaluation of the DSP as a possible
processor solution and evaluation of development
tools. The following TI development tools
are designed for the Evaluation stage:
• Free Evaluation Tools – A free 120-day
trial period of Code Composer Studio IDE.
• DSP Starter Kit (DSK) – A DSP-based
board with a special version of Code Composer
Studio IDE restricted to use only with
the DSK target board. The DSK is a lowcost,
entry-level tool starting at U.S. $295.
• Step Three: Initial Development
In the Initial Development stage, you have
already decided which DSP to use, but beta
boards have not been built. The tools to meet
the needs of this stage include:
• Code Composer Studio IDE – Code
Composer Studio (CCStudio)IDE includes all
the software (including hardware drivers)
needed for development through the production/support
stage. CCStudio IDE pricing
starts at U.S. $495.
• Evaluation Module (EVM) and
Developer’s Kits – A wide variety of DSP
boards and production-ready development
kits are available from TI and TI’s Third Party
Network. Products include development
boards or evaluation modules, and hardware/
software bundles designed to accelerate the
application design process from concept
through production. Kit pricing starts at U.S.
$1,495.
• Step Four: Product Development
In the Product Development stage, there is a
need for full development capabilities – including
debugging of product hardware and software.
Tools designed to meet those needs include:
Emulation Technology
• Code Composer Studio IDE – CCStudio
IDE includes all the software (including
hardware drivers) needed for development
through the production/support stage.
CCStudio IDE pricing starts at U.S. $495.
• Emulation – The XDS510 and XDS560
emulators are used for JTAG emulation. In
order to debug custom target boards, a 14-
pin JTAG header needs to be included on
the board and it connects to a PC via the
JTAG emulation cable. XDS emulator pricing
starts at U.S. $1,500.
Third Party Network
As you progress in your development, you can
speed your time-to-market by utilizing Texas
Instruments Third Party Network. The Third Party
Network offers the most extensive collection of
Digital Signal Processing development support in
the industry.
Texas Instruments 1Q 2007
DSP Selection Guide