The DaVinci DM37x video processors from Texas Instruments target media-rich portable applications. Integrating the ARM Cortex-A8 and C64x+ DSP core, imaging and video accelerator (IVA), 3D graphics processor (on the DM3730 only), and high-performance peripherals (USB 2.0, SD/MMC) on a single system-on-a-chip (SoC), the DM3730 and DM3725 suit applications that require HD video processing or a large amount of data processing such as navigation systems, media players, and portable communications.

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The DM37x processors are software compatible with the OMAP35x generation of processors and are pin-to-pin compatible with the Sitara AM3715 and AM3703 processors, allowing for an easy product migration strategy to higher-performing options. Customers moving to the DM3730 from the OMAP3530 can expect a 50% increase in ARM performance, a 40% increase in DSP performance, and double the graphics performance while consuming approximately 40% less power.

The 800-MHz C64x DSP and hardware video accelerator enable audio and HD 720p video decoding and encoding (audio and video codecs included) at 30 fps independently of the ARM processor. This permits additional expansion on the ARM processor to run more high-level applications and a rich, responsive 2D or 3D graphical user interface for applications such as industrial personal digital assistants. The programmable DSP engine permits multiple general signal processing tasks such as digital filtering, math functions, and image processing and analysis.

Furthermore, TI offers a complete software development kit (SDK) that provides everything developers need to evaluate the device and begin development on the DM3730 evaluation module (EVM) in minutes. The TMDXEVM3730 EVM includes a TI Bluetooth Wi-Fi module. The SDK includes a Linux kernel 2.6.32 board support package complete with graphical user interface, graphics, applications, demonstrations, and development utilities. 

Also, the SDK offers a royalty-free library of DSP-optimized signal processing algorithms accessible from the ARM processor through a set of easy to use application programming interfaces (APIs). The DSP library offers more than 80 algorithms, including multi-media decoders and encoders, math functions, digital filtering including fast Fourier transform (FFT), and image processing including image filtering and analysis.

Support for the Linux and Android operating systems is available today. Windows CE support will be available in the fourth quarter of 2010. Customers can begin designing by downloading the DM3730 software for use on the TMDXEVM3730 EVM, available for $1495. Customers also can develop on the BeagleBoard-xM open-source community board equipped with the DM3730, available from Digi-Key for $179. The DM3730 will be available starting at $25.60 in 1000-unit quantities. 

Texas Instruments