Featured Video: Freescale doubles performance with new DSPs

AUSTIN, Texas–Freescale Semiconductor introduced two new products into its family of DSPs, one designed to support 3G and 4G wireless networks, while the other is cost-optimized for W-CDMA rollouts. Both DSPs are based on Freescale’s SC3850 core that runs at 1.2 GHz. That core processor recently earned the highest fixed-point performance score from Berkley Design Technology Inc.
RCR Wireless News sat down with Scott Aylor, GM of Freescale’s DSP Products for Freescale’s Networking and Multimedia Group, to talk about the two chips and the BDTI test.
The MSC8157 features a multimode solution, which means manufacturers can use it to create 3G-LTE, W-CDMA-HSPA+ and WIMAX and LTE-Advanced wireless base stations. This DSP offers a “super set” of features. The multimode feature allows operators to future-proof their networks for 4G technologies.
The MSC8158 is designed for operators that are looking for a cost- and performance-optimized solution for their W-CDMA networks, Aylor said. Both products deliver more than twice the base-station throughput of the previous generation of products. “They help our customers and operators keep up with the data explosion taking place today,” Aylor noted.
Aylor was also excited about Freescale’s test results from BDTI. The company’s 1.2 GHz core scored 18,500 from BDTI, which is the highest score of any DSP architecture tested by the independent lab to date. “It essentially validates the very compelling core performance we have.” The lab tests across 12 key DSP algorithm kernals. Aylor said BDTI’s benchmarks are the most respected tests of DSP performance in the industry.
For the complete video interview with Aylor at Freescale’s Austin, Texas headquarters, click here.