Analog Devices' New Blackfin Family Offers the Fastest and Most Power-Efficient Processors for Their Class.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NORWOOD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2003

- Now available, ADSP-BF533 delivers 600-MHz, 1.2 GMACS operation at 280mW; ADSP-BF531, also available now, sets new price performance level with 300MHz for $4.95.

Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, today announced the immediate availability of its next-generation Blackfin(R) processor family that delivers twice the performance and half the power consumption of conventional DSPs and embedded processors. The ADSP-BF533 is a 600-MHz/1.2 billion multiply accumulate operations per second (GMACS) processor. The low-cost ADSP-BF531 operates at 300MHz/600 million multiply accumulate operations per second (MMACS). Both Blackfin processors combine best-in-class digital signal processing performance with microcontroller functionality and embedded operating system support to meet the computational demands and power constraints of today's embedded audio, video and communications applications.

The processors require only 0.15mW/MMAC at 300 MHz and at 600 MHz performance levels, the power consumption of the ADSP-BF533 is only 280 mW. To optimize the advantages of the Blackfin architecture's Dynamic Power Management capability, the new processors integrate an on-chip switching regulator that permits programmable control of the core voltage - from 0.7 V to 1.2 V - from a single I/O supply - thereby reducing overall system costs and external power supply components.

The new Blackfin devices also support embedded operating systems such as Embedded Linux, ThreadX and Nucleus. In addition, the video optimizations within the Blackfin processors enable fully-programmable D1/VGA real-time video and multi-channel audio without the complexity or inflexibility of dedicated hardware or heterogeneous dual-core approaches. Using the programmable Blackfin processors enables fast time-to-market and easy support for new and emerging media formats such as MPEG-4, H.264 and Windows Media .

"Our new Blackfin family delivers embedded processing speed and power-efficiency that previously could only be implemented with ASICs or hardwired chipsets," said Brian McAloon, group vice president, DSP and System Products, Analog Devices. "As important, the 600-MHz milestone is only the first rung in the performance ladder as we continue to evolve this technology to address the embedded software developer's appetite for higher performance solutions."

"Blackfin is good at media processing, where most microprocessors are weak. Analog Devices has correctly identified a key growth segment, and with the company's strong reputation in media processing it's well poised to be a major player in this arena," said Jim Turley, president, Jim Turley & Associates. "The new Blackfin processors mix signal-processing performance with traditional microcontroller capabilities that are right for new multimedia applications and at a price point of only $4.95, it's a very compelling solution."

All new members of the Blackfin processor family are pin-for-pin and code compatible and offer new levels of peripheral integration, including glue-less connection to an array of ITU-R 656 video encoders and decoders, as well as high-speed analog-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analog converters at up to 65 MSPS (mega samples per second). The dedicated video port on all members of the family is supported by an innovative 2-dimensional DMA structure that significantly reduces software overhead and system power consumption for real-time video applications. Two dedicated serial ports support up to eight channels of IIS (I2S) audio.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of all new members of the Blackfin processor family are available now in BGA packages. All Blackfin processors integrate on-chip memory, a dedicated video port and extensive I/O. Data sheets are available at http://www.analog.com/blackfin with complete product specifications.

The ADSP-BF533 is offered in two frequency grades - 500 MHz (1000 MMAC) and 600 MHz (1200 MMAC) for $16.95 and $19.95, respectively in quantities of 10,000 units. Both versions are packaged in a space-saving, 12mm x 12mm 160-ball Mini-BGA package.

The ADSP-BF531 is available now in 160-ball Mini-BGA version, at 400 MHz, and is offered at $5.95, while the 300 MHz LQFP version, available in Q3, 2003, is offered at $4.95. Prices are per unit in 10,000-piece quantities.

Previously available at 300 MHz, the company also announces today that its ADSP-BF532 is now available at 400 MHz in the same 160-ball Mini-BGA package, as well as a 300 MHz 176-lead LQFP version that will be available in Q3, 2003. Both versions of the ADSP-BF532 are priced at $9.95 per unit in quantities of 10,000 units.

Programmable in C and C++, all Blackfin processors efficiently execute both signal processing and control code and are supported by Analog Devices' CROSSCORE(TM) tools, which are available now for development. Samples can be obtained by contacting local ADI sales offices and a free VisualDSP++(TM) development tools test drive can be obtained at the Blackfin processor website, at http://www.analog.com/blackfin.

About ADI's Blackfin Processor Family

Based on the Micro Signal Architecture (MSA) jointly developed with Intel Corporation, ADI's Blackfin processor family combines a 32-bit RISC-like instruction set with 16-bit dual multiply accumulate (MAC) signal processing functionality with ease-of-use attributes found in general-purpose microcontrollers. Dynamic Power Management enables breakthrough power consumption by allowing the simultaneous adjustment of operating frequency and voltage under application control.

About Analog Devices, Inc.

Analog Devices is a leading manufacturer of precision high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications. The company is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts and employs approximately 8,600 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, the Philippines, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Analog Devices' stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the company is included in the S&P 500 Index.

Blackfin is a registered trademark and VisualDSP++ and CROSSCORE are trademarks of Analog Devices, Inc. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.