NXP´s new Digital Signal Control (DSC) processors, based on the ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller core, bring high performance signal processing capabilities within the reach of the typical MCU programmer.
The ARM Cortex-M4 processor is the latest embedded processor by ARM specifically developed to address digital signal control markets that demand an efficient, easy-to-use blend of control and signal processing capabilities.
The combination of high-efficiency signal processing functionality with the low-power, low cost and ease-of-use benefits of the Cortex-M family of processors is designed to satisfy the emerging category of flexible solutions specifically targeting the motor control, automotive, power management, embedded audio and industrial automation markets.
NXP´s Cortex-M4 MCUs specifically address digital-signal control markets that demand an efficient, easy-to-use blend of control and signal processing capabilities. These products are an ideal single-chip solution for applications such as motor control, power conversion, audio, and communications.
These DSC processors offer a high level of system integration, reducing system design cost and complexity, while simplifying the design cycle using a single tool chain. Additionally, the Cortex-M4 base-products will be upwardly code compatible from existing Cortex-M3 and Cortex-M0 processors.
The LPC4000 combines the industry leading MCU capabilities of the Cortex-M family with specialized DSP instructions and capabilities including:
- Single-cycle, Multiply-Accumulate (MAC) instructions
- Optimized, Single-Instruction, Multiple-Data (SIMD) instructions
- Saturated, arithmetic instructions,
- A single-precision Floating Point Unit (FPU)
The first group in this family is the
LPC43xx. The LPC43xx, the world´s first asymmetrical dual-core digital signal controller architecture, featuring ARM® Cortex™-M4 and Cortex-M0 processors, brings the advantage of developing DSP and MCU applications within a single architecture and development environment. The Cortex-M4 processor combines the benefits of a microcontroller with high-performance digital signal processing features such as single-cycle MAC, Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) techniques, saturating arithmetic, and a floating point unit.
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NXP was a lead licensee of the Cortex-M4 and was the first manufacturer to show working silicon at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) in Silicon Valley in April, 2010.
