Analog Devices' Latest Blackfin Family Provides New Levels of System Performance and Embedded Security for Automotive Applications.

Blackfin Processor Family Meets the Challenges of Designing Electronics for Multimedia, Networked Automotive and Industrial Applications

NORWOOD, Mass. -- Targeting the increasingly demanding requirements of embedded automotive and industrial applications, Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI) is introducing its newest series of Blackfin[R] processors: the ADSP-BF54x family (ADSP-BF542/BF544/BF548/BF549). The Blackfin ADSP-BF54x family features a balance of increased I/O and memory bandwidth, on-chip memory, and integration of CAN and MOST system peripherals to deliver high performance and cost-effectiveness to industrial and multimedia/networked in-vehicle automotive applications. The BF54x family also embeds new Lockbox[TM] Secure Technology that protects developers' software code, which represents the valuable intellectual property that differentiates their products.

"Analog Devices' newest Blackfin processor family brings developers more of what they need to design performance-hungry and connectivity-ready electronics, making it ideal for manufacturers of automotive electronics as well as industrial manufacturers, particularly those designing applications requiring field upgradeability," said John Croteau, general manager, Convergent Platforms and Services Group, Analog Devices, Inc. "The Blackfin processor is unmatched for enabling these products because of its blend of signal- and control-processing multimedia support. The software flexibility is critical for automotive applications in particular because media formats and communications standards inevitably change in the time it takes applications to go from concept to the highway."

Increased System Performance Drives Convergent Applications

"System performance has become a crucial enabler for in-vehicle electronics because audio, video, and hands-free communication continue to intensify processing demands," said Peter Kohlschmidt, director, Development Infotainment, Audi AG, Ingolstadt. "The Blackfin processor has proven a good fit for our audio head units."

Operating at speeds up to 600MHz, the new ADSP-BF54x family doubles the internal bus bandwidth of Blackfin to 532 Mbytes per second to meet the demands of system peripheral integration. This internal bandwidth is matched by up to 260Kbytes of on-chip memory. Additionally, the high-performance processing is complemented by a rich set of integrated peripherals that reduces system cost and development risk by minimizing the need for external components. High Speed USB on-the-go (OTG) with integrated PHY, ATAPI controller, and NAND flash controller are just a few of the peripheral options on the ADSP-BF54x family. Up to 152 general-purpose I/O ports are also supported. Furthermore, these new Blackfin processors offer a MXVR (Media Transfer) interface that easily integrates automotive telematics and infotainment systems with vehicles through a MOST network.

The ADI CROSSCORE([R]) software and hardware development tools that support other Blackfin Processors support the ADSP-BF54x family. These tools include the award-winning VisualDSP++([R]) integrated development and debug environment (IDDE), emulators, and EZ-KIT Lite([R]) evaluation hardware.

Automotive Leadership in Telematics and Infotainment Systems

A different processing profile characterizes today's automotive telematics and infotainment systems because multimedia content standards are changing constantly, threatening to out-date automotive electronics before the vehicle even hits the road. With its outstanding system performance and rich set of integrated peripherals, the new code- and pin-compatible Blackfin ADSP-BF549, which includes CAN (Controller Area Network) and MOST (Media-Oriented System Transport), is a platform capable of addressing a wide scope of applications such as audio/video rear seat entertainment systems (RSEs), digital radios, driver assistance systems, navigation head units, and hands-free phones.

Industrial Focus

The new Blackfin family is ideal for a wide-variety of industrial applications where field upgradeability, local storage and display capabilities are critical. Target markets include factory automation, wireless instrumentation, wireless telecommunications radios and switching, and security systems where the signal processing performance and rich peripheral set of the Blackfin BF54x family works to differentiate the end application.

Lockbox Security Features Protect Intellectual Property

The Blackfin ADSP-BF54X family also incorporates new Lockbox([TM]) Secure Technology that allows developers to ensure code and data integrity through authentication, and to safeguard confidentiality by means of encrypting any or all of the system. Not only does this provide a means for developers to protect the intellectual property of their own products, but it also offers a platform for the digital rights management (DRM) content protection that is required for devices such as media players. In addition, the programmable aspect of the Lockbox software-based system gives system designers the opportunity to choose any encryption algorithm they prefer.

Pricing and Availability

The ADSP-BF542 is available at 400MHz, 533MHz and 600 MHz and ranges from $11.95-$15.65. The ADSP-BF544 is available at 400 MHz and 533MHz and ranges from $13.25-$15.35. The ADSP-BF548 is available at 533 MHz and 600 MHz and ranges from $15.95-$17.95. The ADSP-BF549 is available at 533 MHz and priced at $18.58. All prices are based on 10,000-unit quantities. Visit http://www.analog.com/processors/blackfin/ to learn more.

A Convergent Future Demands Blackfin-Class Processing

Analog Devices' Blackfin embodies a new breed of 16/32-bit embedded processor with the industry's highest performance and power efficiency for applications where a convergence of capabilities -- multi-format audio, video, voice and image processing; multi-mode baseband and packet processing; and real-time security and control processing -- are critical. It is this powerful combination of software flexibility and scalability that has gained Blackfin widespread adoption in convergent applications such as digital home entertainment, networked and streaming media, automotive telematics and infotainment, and digital radio and mobile TV.

About Analog Devices

Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ADI" and is included in the S&P 500 Index.

Blackfin, CROSSCORE, VisualDSP++, and EZ-KIT Lite are registered trademarks of Analog Devices, Inc. Lockbox is a trademark of Analog Devices Inc., and all other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.

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