comp.dsp FAQ [3 of 4]
Archive-name: dsp-faq/part3
Last-modified: Wed September 30 1998
Previous section (3) Next section (5)
Q4: DSP DEVELOPMENT BOARDS
Updated 5/30/97
Note: This information was mainly supplied by vendor
catalogues. It is in no way definitive, and some of the
information may well be out of date or simply wrong. Beware!
_________________________________________________________________
DSP Development Boards
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vendor |Analog Devic|Lucent Techn|Motorola |Texas Instru|Other
|es |ologies |DSP56K |ments |
|ADSP-21xx |formerly AT |or |TMS320Cxx |
|or ADSP |T) |DSP96002 | |
|210xx |DSP16xx | | |
| |or | | |
| |DSP32xx | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analog Devic|Standalone |- |- |- |-
es | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ariel Corp |VME |- |- |ISA, PCI, |-
| | | |VME |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlanta |- |- |- |ISA, |-
Signal | | | |Standalone |
Processors, | | | | |
Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Berkeley |- |- |SBus, |- |-
Camera | | |SCSI bus, | |
Engineering | | |standalone, | |
| | |Peckbus | |
| | |Eurocard | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BittWare |ISA, PCI, |- |- |- |-
Research |PC/104, | | | |
Systems, |Compact PCI | | | |
Inc. | | | | |
|PMC | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bridgenorth |- |- |- |ISA |-
Signal Proce| | | | |
ssing | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catalina |- |- |- |- |Sharp LH9124
Research, | | | | |/9320 on
Inc. | | | | |VMEbus
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CMS GmbH |ISA |- |- |- |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communicatio|- |ISA, |- |- |-
n | |VMEbus | | |
Automation | | | | |
and Control | | | | |
Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer |ISA |- |- |- |-
Continuum | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creative |- |- |VMEbus |- |-
Electronic | | | | |
Systems | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current |(part of |- |- |- |-
Technology, |FF2 DSP | | | |
Inc. |frame grabbe| | | |
|r) | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dalanco |- |- |- |ISA |-
Spry | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data Transla|- |- |- |ISA |-
tion | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dicon Lab, |- |- |- |ISA, PCI, |-
Inc. | | | |standalone |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DigiDesign, |- |- |Mac Nubus |- |-
Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIPIX Techno|- |- |- |ISA |-
logies, Inc | | | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSP Research|- |- |- |ISA, SBus, |-
| | | |standalone, |
| | | |proprietary |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EnterTec, |ISA |- |- |- |-
Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hollis |ISA |- |- |- |-
Electronics | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyperception|ISA |- |ISA |ISA, PCI, |-
, Inc. | | | |PCMCIA |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image and |- |- |- |VMEbus |-
Signal | | | | |
Processing | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Innovative |Standalone |- |- |- |-
Devices | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integrated |- |- |- |Standalone |-
Motions, | | | | |
Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intellibit |- |- |- |Standalone |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Integrated |- |- |ISA |- |-
Technologies| | | | |
| | | | |
Solutions, | | | | |
Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kinetic |- |SBus |- |- |-
Systems | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Logabex |ISA |- |- |- |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loughborough|ISA, PCI, |- |PCM |ISA, PCI, |-
|VME, PMC | | |VME, PMC |
Sound Images| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mizar |- |- |- |VMEbus |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Momentum |- |- |ISA |- |-
Data Systems| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Motorola |- |- |ISA, |- |Motorola
Corp. | | |Mac Nubus | |68HC16 as
| | | | |standalone
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
National |- |ISA |- |Mac Nubus |-
Instruments | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Natural |- |- |- |ISA |-
Microsystems| | | | |
, Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.E.L. |- |- |Standalone |Standalone |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oxford Micro|- |- |- |- |A236 Video
| | | | |DSP
Devices, | | | | |
Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific |- |- |- |VMEbus |-
Cyber/Metric| | | | |
, Inc. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pentek |- |- |- |VMEbus |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petsoff |- |- |Amigabus |- |-
Limited | | | | |
Partnership | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Precision |- |- |Standalone |- |-
Design Servi| | | | |
ces | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prime Ideal |ISA |- |- |- |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantawave |- |ISA |- |- |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
RCN Realtime|- |- |ISA, NeXT, |- |-
| | |Standalone | |
Computing | | | | |
and Nets | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saddle Point|ISA |- |- |- |-
| | | | |
Systems | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample Rate |- |- |standalone, |- |-
Systems Oy | | |home theater| |
Inc.) | | | EVM | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signal-Data |ISA |- |- |- |-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKY Computer|VME, |- |- |- |PowerPC or
s, Inc. |standalone | | | |i860 on VME
| | | | |or standalon
| | | | |e
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sonitech |- |- |- |ISA, Sbus, |-
Internationa| | | |VMEbus |
l | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specom Techn|Standalone |- |- |- |-
ologies | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spectrum |- |- |ISA, |VMEbus |PDSP-16488
Signal Proce| | |VMEbus | |
ssing | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spectral |- |Mac Nubus |- |- |-
Innovations | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas Instru|- |- |- |ISA, |-
ments | | | |Standalone |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Townshend |- |SCSI |- |- |-
Computer | | | | |
Tools | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transtech |- |- |- |ISA, Sbus, |-
Parallel | | | |VMEbus, |
Systems | | | |Standalone |
Corp. | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traquair |- |- |- |ISA, PCI, |-
Data | | | |PC/104, |
Systems, | | | |VME, SBus, |
Inc. | | | |standalone |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tucker-Davis|- |ISA |- |- |-
Technologie| | | | |
s | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valley Techn|- |VMEbus |- |- |-
ologies | | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vigra |- |- |Sbus, |- |-
| | |VMEbus | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wavetron |ISA |- |- |- |-
Microsystems| | | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wintriss |- |- |- |ISA, |-
Engineering | | | |Standalone |
Corp. | | | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous section (3) Next section (5)
Previous section (4)
Q5: WHAT DSP OPERATING SYSTEMS ARE AVAILABLE?
[Researched and written by Chuck Corley chuckc@sr.hp.com. Last updated
11/22/96]
Some designers need to use an operating system with a DSP
processor and others don't. The need for DSP operating system
seems to depend on the task(s) to be performed.
For simple DSP tasks where a single function or a few simple
functions are being performed, an operating system is usually
not needed and could get in the way.
When the number and complexity of DSP tasks increase, an
operating system of some type may be needed in order to
allocate system resources (RAM, etc.) and to perform
multi-tasking, where several tasks take turns executing.
Some people have chosen to write their own DSP 'task-switching'
or 'job allocating' operating system. Whether this is the right
choice for you depends on how involved your operating system
needs to be, and how much time you have available to spend
writing it.
Many companies offer pre-written operating systems that execute
on DSP processors. In exchange for your money they offer to
save you the time and effort of writing and debugging your own
'operating system' or 'task switcher'.
These companies describe their products as 'real-time'
operating systems. What 'real-time' means can be debated, but
it normally means that the maximum time for the operating
system to respond to an external event is known. The
calculation for measuring this time involves adding together
interrupt response time, task switching time, and other
processor and operating system benchmarks. 'Real-time' also
usually means 'fast'. Embedded CPU or DSP tasks often require a
'real-time' response time.
Prices and features vary. Most companies charge for purchasing
their 'development environment', which allows you to develop
code which will run on their operating system. Some companies
also charge a fee for each product you build that includes
their operating system software. This is usually called a
'target fee' or 'runtime license' fee. Some operating systems
have no 'runtime license' fees.
It is *very* important to negotiate what the runtime license
fee will be *in advance*. This is not nearly as big a problem
as it used to be, but be careful! If this runtime license fee
is not agreed upon in writing when the development system is
purchased, you could be in a bad position later. You will have
invested a lot of time and effort writing software to work with
a particular operating system, and when your creation is
produced you could discover that the 'runtime license fee' has
increased or is more than you can afford. Considering the
amount of work you would have invested in that operating
system, you would be in a very poor bargaining position.
You will also need to decide if having the source code for the
operating system is important to you. Some companies include it
for free, while others may charge extra.
Features for the DSP operating systems are listed below. Some
vendors claim that a 'No' listing for a feature doesn't
necessarily mean that their operating system is missing
something you need. Many companies state that particular
features were not appropriate for either a 'DSP' or a
'real-time' operating system, and so they did not implement
them. Other companies stated that some features were not
appropriate for their targeted users.
One suggestion for comparing features: Make a list of the
features you *really* need and compare it against the list
below.
Disclaimer: Any opinions I've expressed are mine, and not my
employer's. I've tried to make this information current,
accurate, and impartial, but I can't guarantee this. This
document is provided "as is", with no warranty of any kind. You
should contact the vendors listed below for the best and most
up-to-date information. Corrections and suggestions for this
section on DSP operating systems should be addressed to
chuckc@sr.hp.com.
Key To Abbreviations
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Abbreviation |Explanation |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Yes |Included with operating |
|system |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
No |NOT available with operating |
|system |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Soon |Not yet available |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
? |Don't know if this is |
|available |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Opt |Extra-cost option, cost not |
|available |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Number |Cost of a feature or size of a |
|feature. Costs are in dollars $$. |
|Code sizes are in bytes. Numbers may |
|have been rounded to only 2 or 3 |
|significant digits. A range (example: |
|2-5K) means the size or cost varies, |
|depending on options chosen or which |
|code libraries are used |
| |
| |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Disk |Program is supplied on floppy |
|disk |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
FTP |Program is supplied by FTPing it over |
|the network |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Operating System Features (1/2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Op Sys|Byte- |Nucleu|RXTC |SPOX |Helios|Parall|VCOS |Virtuo| |
tem |BOS |s | | | |el | |so | |
Featur| | | | | |C | |Nan/Cl| |
e | | | | | | | |as* | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Preemt|Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |No |No |Yes |
. | | | | | | | | | |
Task | | | | | | | | | |
Sched | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Time |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |No |Yes |
Sliced| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Schedu| | | | | | | | | |
le | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Round |? |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |
Robin | | | | | | | | | |
Schedu| | | | | | | | | |
le | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Parall|No |No |No |Opt |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes? |Yes |
el | | | | | | | | | |
Proces| | | | | | | | | |
sing | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Inter |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |
Task | | | | | | | | | |
Messag| | | | | | | | | |
es | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Memory|Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |No |Yes |
| | | | | | | | | |
Manage| | | | | | | | | |
ment | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Interr|Yes |No |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |
upt | | | | | | | | | |
Manage| | | | | | | | | |
ment | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Timer |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |
Manage| | | | | | | | | |
ment | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
OS Siz|5-40K |4-20K |12-16K|6K+ |80K+ |11K+ |2K |.8K |40K |
e | | | | | | | | | |
(Bytes| | | | | | | | | |
) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Operating System Features (2/2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Operating System Feature |Precise MQX(+M) |DspTask |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Preemptive Task Sched. |Yes |Yes |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Time-Sliced Scheduling |Yes |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Round-Robin Scheduling |Yes |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Parallel Processing |Yes |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Inter-Task Messages |Yes |Yes |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Memory Management |Yes |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Interrupt Management |Yes |Yes |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Timer Management |Yes |Yes |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
OS Size (Bytes) |23K+ |5-20K |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Features and Cost (1/2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Featur|Byte- |Nucleu|RXTC |SPOX |Helios|Parall|VCOS |Virtuo| |
es |BOS |s | | | |el | |so | |
and Co| | | | | |C | |Nan/Cl| |
sts | | | | | | | |as* | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Includ|No |No |No |No |Yes |Yes |No |No |No |
es C | | | | | | | | | |
Compil| | | | | | | | | |
er | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Includ|No |No |No |No |Yes |Yes |Yes |No |No |
es Ass| | | | | | | | | |
embler| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Source|Yes |Yes |Yes |No |No |No |No |Opt |Opt |
Code | | | | | | | | | |
Includ| | | | | | | | | |
ed | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Source|C |C |Asm&C |Asm&C |Asm&C |Asm&C |Asm |Asm |Asm&C |
Code | | | | | | | | | |
Type | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Run-Ti|0 |0 |0 |25-200|25-300|50-300|TBD |<32|<11|
me Lic| | | | | | | | |2 |
ense | | | | | | | | | |
$ | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Develo|2K |5K |1-4.2K|6-12K |1-5.4K|1.5-7 |0 |3.2K |11K |
p Lice| | | | | |6K | | | |
nse $ | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Develo|Site |Produc|Site |Node |Node |Node |N/A |Site |Site |
p Lice| |t | | | | | | | |
nse Ty| | | | | | | | | |
pe | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Demo |? |Yes |Yes |No |No |No |No |No |Yes |
Disk | | | | | | | | | |
Availa| | | | | | | | | |
ble | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Features and Cost (2/2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Operating System Feature |Precise MQX(+M) |DspTask |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Includes C Compiler |No |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Includes Assembler |No |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Source Code Included |Yes |Yes |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Source Code Type |C & Asm |C |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Run-Time License $$ |$0 |$0 |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Develop License $$ |$6K |$120 |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Develop License Type |Product |Company |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Demo Pgm Available |Disk & FTP |FTP |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Libraries (1/2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Availa|Byte- |Nucleu|RXTC |SPOX |Helios|Parall|VCOS |Virtuo| |
ble |BOS |s | | | |el | |so | |
Librar| | | | | |C | |Nan/Cl| |
ies | | | | | | | |as* | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
C Run |No |No |No |2K |Yes |Yes |No |Yes |Yes |
Time | | | | | | | | | |
Librar| | | | | | | | | |
y | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
DSP Ma|No |1K |No |4K |0-2K |1-2K |100 |1.8K |1.8K |
th Lib| | | | | | | | | |
rary | | | | | | | | | |
s) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Image |No |No |No |No |No |2K |No |5K |5K |
Proces| | | | | | | | | |
sing | | | | | | | | | |
Lib | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
JPEG |No |No |No |No |No |No |Opt |No |No |
Librar| | | | | | | | | |
y | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
X Wind|No |No |No |No |930 |No |No |No |No |
ows Li| | | | | | | | | |
brary | | | | | | | | | |
$ | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
PC Win|No |No |No |Opt |730 |No |No |No |3K |
dows | | | | | | | | | |
Librar| | | | | | | | | |
y $ | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Ethern|No |9.5K |No |No |1-1.3K|No |No |No |No |
et Lib| | | | | | | | | |
Cost | | | | | | | | | |
$ | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Libraries (2/2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Available Libraries |Precise MQX(+M) |DspTask |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
C Run-Time Library |No |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
DSP Math Library(s) |No |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Image Processing Lib |No |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
JPEG Library |No |No |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
X Windows Library $ |No |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
PC Windows Library $ |No |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Ethernet Lib Cost $ |$10K |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Debugging (1/2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
OS Sys|Byte- |Nucleu|RXTC |SPOX |Helios|Parall|VCOS |Virtuo| |
tem |BOS |s | | | |el | |so | |
Level | | | | | |C | |Nan/Cl| |
Debugg| | | | | | | |as* | |
er | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Basic |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |Yes |No |Yes |
Debugg| | | | | | | | | |
ing | | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Perfor|Yes |Yes |No |Yes |Yes |No |Yes |No |Yes |
mance | | | | | | | | | |
Timer | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Debugg|$295 |$750 |$0 |$3.8K |$900 |$950 |TBD |N/A |$0 |
er Cos| | | | | | | | | |
t | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Debugging (2/2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
OS System Level Debugger |Precise MQX(+M) |DspTask |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Basic Debugging |Yes |Soon |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Performance Timer |Yes |No |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Debugger Cost |$2K |$0 |
| | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
* Note that only Virtuoso "Nano" and "Classico" products are
shown in the comparison charts. There is also an intermediate
"Micro" product.
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