Embedded Signal Processing with the Micro Signal Architecture

Chapter 5

Introduction to the Blackfin Processor

This chapter examines the architecture of the Blackfin processor, which is based on the MSA jointly developed by Analog Devices and Intel. We use assembly programs to introduce the processing units, registers, and memory and its addressing modes. At the end of the chapter, we design, simulate, and implement an eight-band graphic equalizer and use this application to explain some of the practical implementation issues. An in-depth discussion of the real-time processing concepts, number representations, peripheral programming, code optimization, and system design is given in Chapters 6, 7, and 8.

5.1    THE BLACKFIN PROCESSOR: AN ARCHITECTURE FOR EMBEDDED MEDIA PROCESSING

This section introduces the architecture of the Blackfin processor and its internal hardware units, memory, and peripherals using assembly instructions. In particular, we use the BF533 processor [23] for explaining the Blackfin processor’s architecture. The BF537 processor [24] has core and system architectures identical to those of the BF533, but slightly different on-chip peripherals.

5.1.1    Introduction to Micro Signal Architecture

As introduced in Chapter 1, the MSA core was designed to achieve high-speed DSP performance and best power efficiency. This core combines the best capabilities of microcontroller and DSP processor into a single programming model. This is different from other cores that require separate DSP processor and microcontroller. The main advantage ...