TI has taken its 'C64xx family of DSPs in a new direction with its March introduction of the TMS3206411. Previously introduced 'C64xx family members are among the fastest DSPs available, but they are also among the most expensive. In contrast, the 'C6411 will emphasize cost-efficiency over raw speed: it is projected to operate at 300 MHz and will be priced at $39 in 10,000-unit quantities. The 'C6411 is also expected to be more energy-efficient than existing family members due to its unusually low core voltage of 1.0 V. According to TI, the 'C6411 will offer "more Millions of Multiply Accumulates (MMACS) per dollar and per Watt than competing products."
An analysis of BDTI Benchmark™ scores shows that the 'C6411 will offer an outstanding price/performance ratio compared to currently shipping processors. For example, its projected price/performance ratio is over two times better than that currently offered by the similarly speedy 250 MHz Motorola MSC8101 (which is based on the StarCore SC140 core). However, BDTI's analysis of forthcoming processors shows that a 300 MHz Analog Devices ADSP-21532 will be about 2.5 times more cost-efficient than the 'C6411, and that TI's own 200 MHz TMS320C5502 will be about 45% more cost-efficient than the 'C6411. (It should be noted, however, that the 'C6411 will be faster and contain more on-chip memory than either the '21532 or the 'C5502.) BDTImark2000™ scores for the '2153x, MSC8101, 'C55xx, and 'C64xx are available online at http://www.bdti.com/Resources/BenchmarkResults.
The 'C6411 will have a clearer advantage in energy efficiency if TI meets its power consumption targets. According to BDTI's analysis, the 'C6411 will be significantly more energy-efficient than the '21532, the MSC8101, or the 'C5502.
Among other applications, TI is targeting the 'C6411 at consumer electronics applications like residential media servers. In many high-end consumer electronics applications, however, signal-processing speed is less important than support for a particular OS and good support for non-DSP tasks such as Web browsers and GUIs; the 'C64xx has limited offerings in these areas. It will be interesting to see how TI addresses the needs of this application space.
The TMS320C6411 is expected to begin sampling in September 2002. Full production is expected in December 2002. The 300 MHz TMS320C6411 will be priced at $39 in 10,000-unit quantities.
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