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Fixed instruction set RISC CPUs are mainly used
for system control tasks, such as responding to interrupts
from slave peripherals or directing data flow through
various processing elements. An advantage of using
a RISC CPU for digital audio processing is the ability
to run multiple codecs, thereby saving silicon area
when compared to dedicated hardware for each codec.
However, standard RISC CPUs are not optimal for processing
data streams, especially when these streams are not
based on 32-bit data.
Tensilica’s Diamond Standard 330HiFi and Xtensa processors are extremely good fits for digital audio processing,
as the base instruction set has been extended to include:
- Operations on 24-bit values, optimal for high-fidelity
24-bit audio data sampling
- Custom audio register files
- An additional MAC per cycle
- Huffman-coding specific operations
Diamond Standard 330HiFi
If you want a proven, flexible audio solution, check out the Diamond Standard 330HiFi audio processor. The Diamond 330HiFi core is optimized for digital audio processing. All popular audio codecs have been pre-ported to the Diamond 330HiFi core, which makes it a “drop-in” block for any SOC application requiring high quality, 24-bit audio capability.
The Xtensa HiFi 2 Audio Engine
The Xtensa HiFi 2 Audio Engine is a click-box item in the Xtensa LX2 configuration options. By using the Xtensa HiFi 2 Audio Engine with an Xtensa processor, design teams can further optimize the Xtensa processor for other tasks besides just audio.
- HiFi 2 Audio
Engine - popular digital audio codecs
are available for immediate licensing
- Total size ~44K gates
- Add-on to Xtensa LX2 processor
- Native processing of 24-bit audio data types
- Further customization of Xtensa processor allows exact match to application
Xtensa LX2 Benefits
- Audio application specific instructions decrease
frequency requirements – lowering power consumption
in portable audio applications
- FLIX technology allows 2 instruction issues per
clock cycle
- Custom audio register file types
- Custom audio MAC instructions
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