AT&T Microelectronics has announced the DSP1611 signal processor for the wireless infrastructure market. The part delivers 52 MIPS of processing power at 5V; 30 MIPS at 3V; has 24Kb of on-board dual-port RAM, and 4Kb of boot ROM. AT&T says these features enable engineers to build base stations that can be reconfigured to support multiple digital cellular, Personal Communications Services and other wireless standards. The DSP1611 supports Time Division Multiple Access, Code Division Multiple Access, Portable Digital Communications and Groupe Speciale Mobile network applications. The RAM-based memory can be accessed through the JTAG port, producing a downloadable architecture that can be reconfigured with system upgrades, or adapted to changing standards. Another feature is support for three power management nodes to conserve power. The DSP1611 is available in 100-pin TQFP or 100-pin PQFP and is pin-for-pin compatible with the DSP1617 and DSP1618, AT&T’s ROM-based signal processors. This is said to enable designers to implement a ROM-based device later in production. Samples are available now; expect volume in the first quarter of 1995; price is $70 when you take 10,000-up.
