Synopsys ARC Processors for Audio

The DSP-enhanced Synopsys ARC® EMxD and HS4xD Families of embedded 32-bit processors are based on the scalable ARCv2DSP Instruction Set Architecture (ISA). The DSP-enhanced ARC processor families support a broad portfolio of certified audio codecs and post-processing software from a range of popular standards including Dolby, DTS, Microsoft and SRS.

With patented configuration technology, the cores can be easily customized to meet any application requirement from ultra-small task-specific controllers robust application processors. Additionally, the extendible instruction set makes it possible for customers to add instructions and operations to provide additional acceleration and more efficient operation, resulting in highly differentiated designs that cannot be built with standard, off-the-shelf DSPs or CPUs.

These processors are also designed to be tolerant to high memory latencies. Compared to other solutions in the market, the impact of latency on the processor load is negligible, making the ARC processors the best solution for systems like video and graphics IP, where DDR memory is shared with other resources.

See Synopsys' portfolio of ARC codecs that are optimized for ARC processors with DSP capabilities.

DSP-Enhanced ARC EMxD Processors for Audio

The ARC EMxD family, which includes the ARC EM5D processor, ARC EM7D processor, ARC EM9D processor, and EM11D processor, are specifically designed for ultra low-power embedded DSP applications. These processors are based on the enhanced ARCv2DSP ISA, which adds over 150 optimized DSP instructions to the area- and code-efficient real-time ARCv2 RISC ISA. The processors feature a power-efficient unified 32x32 MUL/MAC unit, support for fixed point DSP vector and single instruction multiple data (SIMD) operations. The ARC EM DSP family features a balanced 3-stage Harvard architecture pipeline that provides efficient throughput and the cores offer excellent real-time control and DSP performance.

ARC DSP-Enhanced HS4xD Processors for Audio

The HS45D and HS47D processors support more than 150 DSP-optimized instructions, delivering a unique combination of high-performance control and high-efficiency digital signal processing. To speed the execution of math functions, the HS4xD cores give designers the option to implement a hardware integer divider, instructions for 64-bit multiply, multiply-accumulate (MAC), vector addition and vector subtraction, and a optional IEEE 754-compliant floating point unit (single- or double-precision or both). The ARC HS4xD processors are compatible with the ultra-low power ARC EMxD processors and have the same instruction set, making it easy to migrate code between the two processor families.

AS2xx Audio Processors

The AS2xx single and dual core audio processors are based on the ARCv1 ISA and remain excellent solutions for consumer, portable and mobile applications including portable audio players, digital cameras, media players and digital TVs where low power and small area are required. The dual core AS221 processor is capable of supporting multi-channel HD audio and is backward compatible with the single core AS211 processor.

The ARC audio processors utilize the 16-/32-bit Synopsys ARCompact Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) that provides both RISC and full DSP capabilities in a unified architecture. With patented configuration technology, the cores can be easily customized to meet any application requirement from ultra-small task-specific controllers to programmable and robust application processors. Additionally, the extendible instruction set makes it possible for customers to add instructions and operations to provide additional acceleration and more efficient operation, resulting in highly differentiated designs that cannot be built with standard, off-the-shelf DSPs or CPUs.

These audio processors are also designed to be tolerant to high memory latencies. Compared to other solutions in the market the impact of latency on the processor load is negligible, making the ARC processors the best solution for systems like video and graphics IP, where DDR memory is shared with other resources.

Synopsys ARC AS211SFX Audio Processor

The AS211SFX audio processor is an excellent solution for consumer, portable and mobile applications including portable audio players, digital cameras, media players and digital TV where lowest power and smallest area are required.

Synopsys ARC AS221BD Audio Processor

The Synopsys ARC AS221BD Audio Processor extends the capabilities of the Synopsys ARC AS211SFX processor with a dual core processor to maximize performance. The AS221BD processor is designed for high-performance, multi-channel HD audio and Blu-ray Disc™ applications. The processor software is fully backwards compatible with the Synopsys ARC AS211SFX audio processor. The AS221BD audio processor runs the most demanding, complex, high data rate audio applications at low clock speeds, providing a lot of headroom for future tasks or additional audio post-processing.

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