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JTAG emulator enables high-speed RTDX data link at more than two megabytes per second and code download speeds at up to half a megabyte per second For more info: http://www.dspvillage.ti.com/emulator8 HOUSTON (May 20, 2002) -- To further enable designers of real-time embedded applications to pinpoint and resolve real-time problems quickly and precisely, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE:TXN) today introduced the fastest generation of JTAG emulation technology as part of its real-time eXpressDSP Software and Development Tools. Compatible with previous TI emulators, the new technology features a high-speed Real-Time Data Exchange (RTDX) that transfers data bi-directionally between the target processor and the host development platform at more than two megabytes per second (MBps) for unprecedented levels of real-time application visibility. It also offers code download speeds at up to half a megabyte per second, enabling rapid start-up of larger applications. In addition, the new emulator supports Advanced Event Triggering for real-time, non- intrusive debugging and maximum user control in real-time digital signal processor (DSP) and ARM processors. (See http://www.dspvillage.ti.com/emulator8) The key issue for real-time developers today is "vanishing visibility," or the increasingly difficult challenge of seeing into the real-time behavior of an executing application. Visibility diminishes as processor speeds increase, and more peripherals, buses and other system components are embedded on the devices. TI has addressed this problem by introducing the XDS560 PCI Bus JTAG Scan- Based Emulator, which represents a major advancement in emulation technology. "TI pioneered basic visibility techniques for system development of real-time applications over a decade ago with the invention of JTAG emulation, which is now the industry standard," said Bill Novak, emulation technology product manager, TI. "TI is now taking that key innovation to the next level with the XDS560, delivering unequalled levels of visibility and control to real-time developers." The Real-Time Answer to Vanishing Visibility The XDS560 emulator is the first DSP emulator to offer high-speed RTDX bi-directional data transfer rates of more than two MBps between the target processor and the host. Previous generation XDS510-class emulators supported a form of RTDX called standard RTDX, which is enabled on all TMS320C5000, TMS320C6000 and ARM processors and is capable of data rates in the range of 10-20 kilobytes per second. The XDS560 also supports standard RTDX on all C5000, C6000 and ARM processors and improves its performance, but also offers high-speed RTDX for enabled processors at data rates of more than two MBps, which is more than 100X faster than standard RTDX over the XDS510. With this 100X improvement in bandwidth and performance far beyond any other competitive technology available in the industry, the XDS560 enables an entire new class of applications to take advantage of RTDX capabilities, including wireless base stations and streaming video servers. The RTDX data is available from TI's Code Composer Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE) through an industry- standard Microsoft Component Object Model (COM interface to ensure compatibility with other data visualization and analysis applications such as Microsoft Exceland the MathWorks MATLAB Through the XDS560's compatibility with XDS510-class emulators, developers using the previous generation XDS510-class products can improve their capabilities to support the latest features in the newest processors simply by plugging in the XDS560. This protects significant existing customer investments in everything from development tools to custom-built or purchased target boards, RTDX instrumentation, testing harnesses, and training in the environment. Increased Code Download Speeds Improve Developer Productivity Another major enhancement with the new XDS560 emulator is the significant increase in code download speeds, up to 8X faster than the XDS510 emulator. As applications become steadily larger, the time spent waiting for embedded code to be downloaded gets longer. Extended program download times are non-productive and frustrating for developers. TI mitigates this delay by offering top-performance code download speeds up to half a megabyte per second, allowing designers the chance to save precious development time and stay focused on their task. Powerful, Real-Time, Non-Intrusive Event Triggering Speeds Debug A key capability of the XDS560 emulator is Advanced Event Triggering. This allows complex sequences of events to be defined and evaluated non-intrusively in real-time, before halting the CPU or taking an alternate action. An advanced user interface makes setting even complex conditions simple and uniform across all processors. Together, these features allow designers to get to market faster by enabling even difficult intermittent real-time software problems to be analyzed and fixed more quickly. Third Parties Extend XDS560 Technology To enable DSP developers with XDS560 technology, TI has worked closely with companies from the TI third party network to develop additional XDS560-class products. Five companies are announcing availability of XDS560-class emulators featuring Ethernet, USB and PCI bus interfaces to provide designers with a variety of next- generation emulation products for DSP development. For more information on these products, please see: www.dspvillage.ti.com/xds560pr2. Availability and Pricing The XDS560 PCI Bus JTAG Scan-Based Emulator is available today and can be purchased from the TI E-Store at www.dspvillage.ti.com/xds560pr1 and TI authorized distributors. Pricing is $4,995 each in single-unit quantities with a special introductory price of $3,995 for a limited time. The emulator includes an extremely flexible 1.5-meter cable with a low-profile, credit-card sized cable pod that provides a lightweight, flexible and convenient connection to the target system; and auto-sensing voltage capabilities that range from 5V down to 0.5V that will support both existing and future generations of low-voltage DSP and ARM processors. The XDS560 emulator can be ordered using part number TMDX00560. # # # |