[TenTec] Orion Processing

[Bob Cunnings]

As for the Sharc DSP parts, they appear to be misidentified on the
schematic. I believe they are AD21065L, really, right? I've never heard of
an AD21D56L.

If so, the 21065 ran at a maximum of 66 MHz, while the next generation 21161
(for instance, just one member of the 2116x family) runs at a maximum speed
of 100 MHz. However, the 21161 has 2 floating point units, whereas the 21065
has only one... so in theory a 3x performance boost can be realized with the
newer part.

Here we've used the 21161 in recent products, but it's quite impractical to
touch the existing 21065 designs; there is nothing remotely close to a
drop-in upgrade possible because of the huge differences between Sharc
generations.

RC

-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Bernard(wtrone)
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 9:27 PM
To: tentec at contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] Orion Processing


    I don't know if I have seen the numbers (operating speed, etc.) for the
Orion's processor and DSP chips/ units.  Does anyone have them?  Since this
design is probably going on 3 years old, what capabilities do the newer
processors and DSPs have?  If you believe in Moore's law, then the speed
should be 2-4 times faster.  I'm also wondering if the newer processors and
DSPs are pin for pin compatible with the current ones.

    Why am I curious?

    Well, there has been some discussion on this board about a complete
rewrite of the code, version 2.XXXXX.  It could be that the new code will
run "better" with faster processors, or, maybe, need better processors.
And, a faster set of processors just may "solve" some of the problems with
the sweep, and add a little more capability elsewhere.

    Just sort of thinking out loud.

            73,


            Bernard, WA4OEJ
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