Intel 2920 Design Handbook page 11

INTRODUCTION AND TERMINOLOGY
When the simulation indicates the program is operating
to
specifications, it can be stored on a diskette. The
latest version can then be loaded into the 2920 device for
testing in the hardware prototype.
Figure 1-1 outlines the development sequence for a 2920
design. There are several important points to note that
makes the 2920 much more efficient for a system design:
1) With the 2920, hardwired analog functions are now
implemented with flexible software,
2) Instead of designing circuits for each of the building
blocks of the block diagram, a sequence of 2920
instructions are used to implement each of the
blocks,
3) Instead of building hardware prototypes early in the
design phase of the product development, the 2920
uses a computer-aided design and debug package to
facilitate design and development, and
4) There is no need for a hardware prototype until
such a time that the system has been simulated and
found to be completely functional and meets design
specifications.
Table 1-3 shows the contrast in design methodologies
for a 2920 design and one using analog components.
Numerous benefits derive from using the 2920 develop-
ment system for signal processing design and implemen-
tation. The digital methodology, with its unique tools
(see Chapters 3 and 9) to aid designing and debugging,
helps to:
a) standardize the design process, and
b) allow for immediate changes. Thus it can
c) reduce drastically the time needed for creating new
products or for modifying prior work to fix errors
or to add new features.
1.3 Benefits of the 2920 Signal
Processor Approach
The 2920 is a solution for many signal processing needs.
It is a complete system in a single 28-pin package. Along
with 2920 are all the design and development tools
required to move a product idea into finished product.
The 2920 uses a digital sampled data system approach
for signal processing applications. The digital sampled
data approach brings many attributes to signal process-
ing. Table 1-4 summarizes some of these benefits.
1.3.1 2920 Device Benefits
Lower manufacturing cost for 2920-based products
results from a lower part count, improved reliability,
1-4
and the elimination of costly preCiSion components.
Also eliminated is the production re-tuning or 'tweak-
ing' so often required in analog systems integration.
The flexibility for rapid design changes in prototypes is
a direct result of the 2920's programmability. Alter-
native designs are readily compared by reprogramming
the 2920's EPROM. The re-use of standard debugged
program blocks facilitates the creation of alternatives in
both existing and future products.
The digital approach provides inherently stable, predic-
table, and reproducible results. The NMOS integrated
circuitry means increased reliability. Conceptual errors
or inefficient implementation choices are easily found
during debugging and performance evaluation using the
2920 Simulator. The performance you design for is the
realized performance.
Savings in long-term product maintenance, support,
and enhancement result from the relative ease with
which engineering changes are implemented in software.
Field maintenance is reduced by digital stability and LSI
reliability.
1.3.2 Deveiopment-Support-Tool Benefits
Long term savings in large part are derived from the
2920 support package. The 2920 Signal Processing
Applications Software/Compiler (SPAS-20) contains
very powerful code generation and macro capabilities,
plus graphics and analysis capabilities permitting inter-
active specification and adjustment of design param-
eters. Creating usable libraries of macros and signal
processing routines means ever increasing productivity
due to building on the successes of the past.
The 2920 Assembler creates the actual machine bit pat-
terns to be programmed into the 2920. Its careful error
analysis detects problem areas, and the debugging
information it provides greatly facilitates design evalua-
tion during simulation.
The 2920 Simulator permits execution of any part of a
2920 program, plus collection of trace data on variables.
This tool bears a strong family resemblance to Intel's
In-Circuit-Emulators (ICE). The analysis and evalua-
tion capabilities inherent in the 2920 Simulator make
possible rapid problem isolation in the field or in the
factory. It can also be used to generate revised object
code for a quick check on proposed fixes or enhance-
ments. This revised code can be saved and used to pro-
gram the 2920.