Blackfin BF50x processors deliver up to 400MHz of performance at a price point where 150-200MHz clock speeds have been the norm, extending high-performance digital signal processing capabilities to a wider range of applications, including applications previously serviced by high-end microcontrollers. This performance headroom enables designers to achieve greater system functionality and precision through the use of more sophisticated algorithms, and allows greater flexibility to optimize system interface and control capabilities. Designers are also enabled to utilize more advanced software tools and libraries for code generation, which helps shorten product development cycles and speed time to market – without compromising on processor cost.

BF50x processors combine industry-standard interfaces with a high-performance signal processing core to ensure that applications can be developed quickly and cost effectively, without the need for costly external components. With optional integrated dual SAR 12-bit ADI ADCs for more accurate data conversion and 4MB of on-board executable flash memory, Blackfin BF50x processors minimize off-chip components to lower overall system costs.

No other DSP with integrated ADC matches the 400 MHz performance of Blackfin BF50x processors. The optional dual SAR ADI ADC integrated within the Blackfin BF506F leverages ADI’s world-class ADC technology expertise to deliver true 12-bit resolution, making it an ideal fit for applications including power inverters, UPS, servo controls and motor controls. The Blackfin BF50x also introduces a new peripheral to the Blackfin portfolio - the ADC Control Module (ACM) - which provides a low overhead, precise means to synchronize ADC sampling with external events.

Blackfin BF50x processors equip designers with the performance they need to develop more accurate, energy efficient systems for industrial control and automation applications spanning power inverters, UPS, power and motion control, as well as smart metering and advanced sensing applications including power metering and flow/level metering.

The performance headroom provided by Blackfin BF50x series processors enables modern control theory and mathematics to be used in advanced system modeling, resulting in optimal power and control efficiency for any real-time system. Designers will use Blackfin BF50x processors to yield more precise control (e.g. motion), efficiency (e.g. power consumption), reliability (e.g. power quality), and capabilities (e.g. power line communications).

Berkeley Design Technology, Inc.'s (BDTI) benchmark analysis of the Blackfin BF504 confirmed its placement ahead of all other competing, BTDI-benchmarked digital signal processors in terms of speed-per-dollar ratio for fixed-point processors, with a BDTIsimMark2000/$ score of 498. BDTI benchmarks provide performance expectations for real-world applications and are among the most widely used digital signal processing benchmarks in the world.

Partners providing value added design services and technology for Blackfin BF50x include Boston Engineering, Advanced Energy Conversion, and Schmid Engineering.

"Designers who have previously been constrained by the performance profiles of low-cost processors and microcontrollers can now overcome these limitations to realize new levels of performance and cost efficiency via an elegant, unified processing platform," said Jerry McGuire, vice president, general purpose DSP division, Analog Devices, Inc. "Blackfin BF50x processors provide the performance headroom and integrated peripherals to drive greater innovation in embedded applications, with low-cost evaluation kits and a rich ecosystem of software tools to ensure unmatched value."

The BF50x family includes the BF504 starting at $4.50, the BF504F with integrated flash memory starting at $6.50, and the BF506F with integrated flash memory and ADC starting at $10.60 - all prices are based on 10,000 unit quantities. Processors are sampling today. EZ-KIT Lite evaluation kits for Blackfin BF50x processors are available from ADI’s authorized distributors and are priced at $199.