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Semiconductor options for real-time signal processing

By Leon Adams, Texas Instruments -- EDN, 11/25/2004

Designers of real-time-signal-processing systems face lots of options and an ever-changing technology landscape.

If a universal semiconductor component existed that could allow engineers to realize every real-time-signal-processing system with optimum price, performance, power and function, then selection would be automatic. However, the reality is that designers of such systems must carefully evaluate many device options within a continually changing technology landscape. Although engineers typically associate real-time signal processing with programmable DSPs, the market today has many options. Designers face myriad core technologies, all of which claim to be the best for executing real-time operations for a given application. An engineer's task is choosing what delivers the best mix of performance, size, power consumption, features, and development tools--all without breaking the budget.

Of the chief candidates for real-time signal processing, this article examines the benefits of these technologies, including ASICs, ASSPs, (application-specific signal processors), FPGAs, and RISC processors, and compares the design trade-offs among them.

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