company blog about Supply ADI Processors Evaluation Board:Audio Processor,DSP,Heterogeneous Multicore Processor

Supply ADI Processors Evaluation Board:Audio Processor,DSP,Heterogeneous Multicore Processor

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I. Audio Processor Evaluation Boards: Essential Tools for Ultimate Audio Quality and Low-Latency Development

ADI audio processor evaluation boards are specifically designed for scenarios such as audio coding/decoding, noise reduction algorithms, and sound effect optimisation. Leveraging ADI's high-performance audio chips, combined with meticulously engineered hardware layouts and dedicated development software, they enable efficient end-to-end development from prototype validation to algorithm iteration. Among these, the EVAL-ADAU1777Z and EVAL-AD1940 series stand as representative products, covering both low-power portable and high-performance professional audio applications.

1. Benchmark Model: EVAL-ADAU1777Z Low-Power Audio Evaluation Board

This evaluation board is tailored for the ADAU1777 low-power audio codec and processor. Its core strengths lie in exceptional signal integrity and ease of debugging, making it an optimal solution for developing Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones and portable audio devices. Hardware employs a 4-layer PCB design with dedicated inner ground and power planes to minimise interference and ensure pristine audio signal integrity. Flexible power options include single AAA battery, USB bus power, or 3.8V-5.5V single supply, accommodating both laboratory debugging and portable field testing. Automatic voltage regulation eliminates the need for external voltage matching.

Performance-wise, the integrated ADAU1777 chip features 24-bit ADC and DAC capabilities. Under A-weighted filtering, the ADC achieves an SNR of up to 102dB, while the DAC combination reaches 108dB SNR. THD+N as low as -90dB, sampling rates spanning 8kHz to 192kHz, and analogue-to-analogue latency of merely 5μs. This provides a precise verification foundation for latency-sensitive algorithms such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The debug port integrates with ADI SigmaStudio™ graphical software, enabling direct chip core control via USB without complex coding. Novices can swiftly validate algorithms like echo cancellation and sound effect adjustment. Onboard features include a 12.288MHz passive crystal oscillator and dedicated microphone/speaker interfaces, facilitating immediate audio input/output testing upon unboxing.

2. Professional-grade option: EVAL-AD1940 SigmaDSP evaluation board

Tailored for professional audio applications, the EVAL-AD1940 series comprises a standard version (EVAL-AD1940AZ) and a mini version (EVAL-AD140MINIBZ). These boards integrate AD1939, AD1974, or AD1938 codecs and offer extensive analogue and digital interfaces. The standard version features three stereo TRS analogue inputs, four stereo TRS analogue outputs, and supports S/PDIF, I²S/TDM digital interfaces, catering to development needs for professional equipment such as mixing consoles, conference systems, and AV receivers. The mini version employs a compact design for rapid validation of embedded audio solutions, offering one analogue input and three analogue outputs, while also supporting USB i-I²C/SPI control interfaces. Both evaluation boards come standard with a 6V power supply and USBi communication module, enabling rapid integration into professional audio systems for algorithm iteration.

3. Core Application Scenarios

Covering Bluetooth ANC headphones, head-worn noise-cancelling devices, portable audio players, conference system echo cancellation modules, and in-vehicle audio terminals, while also catering to university audio algorithm research and institute technical development scenarios. Balances low power consumption with high audio fidelity requirements.

II. DSP Evaluation Boards: Core Platforms for High-Performance Floating-Point Operations and Real-Time Signal Processing

ADI DSP evaluation boards, centred on SHARC® series processors, focus on high-performance floating-point/fixed-point operations. Leveraging powerful hardware accelerators and extensive peripherals, they address real-time signal processing requirements across automotive, industrial, and professional audio sectors. The EV-21569-SOM System-on-Module evaluation board serves as the evaluation platform for the ADSP-2156x series SHARC+® processors, demonstrating exceptional computational capability and expansion flexibility.

1. Core Configuration: EV-21569-SOM Evaluation Board

This evaluation board adopts a System-on-Module (SOM) design, featuring the ADSP-21569 SHARC+ audio processor (400-pin BGA package) with a maximum core clock frequency of 1GHz. It incorporates 8Gb DDR3 memory and 512Mb SPI quad-channel flash memory, combined with an LT-component-based power solution, providing stable hardware support for high-load signal processing. The processor incorporates 640KB L1 SRAM (with parity checking) and 1024KB L2 SRAM (with ECC protection), eliminating the need for external memory in most scenarios while enhancing low-latency performance and data security.

At the hardware accelerator level, an enhanced FIR/IIR acceleration engine operates at core clock frequency, substantially boosting filtering capabilities. An innovative digital audio interface (DAI) incorporates eight full-featured SPORT interfaces (supporting TDM and I²S modes), two S/PDIF transceivers, eight ASRC pairs, and four precision clock generators, enabling flexible integration with diverse audio peripherals. Additionally, it incorporates 2 quad-channel SPI interfaces, 4 I²C interfaces, 2 UART interfaces, 22 GPIO pins, and a 2-channel 12-bit management ADC, addressing both multi-device connectivity and analogue signal acquisition requirements. Support for JTAG debugging interfaces and FTDI USB-to-UART conversion facilitates complex system debugging.

2. Software Ecosystem and Development Advantages

Leveraging the CrossCore® Embedded Studio integrated development environment, it supports C/C++ and assembly language development, enabling full-process operations including code compilation, loading, breakpoint debugging, and register read/write. Combined with the CrossCore Utilities toolset and SigmaStudio®+ system-level solutions, it accelerates the development and implementation of automotive audio and algorithm IP applications. The evaluation board functions independently (requiring the ICE-1000/2000 in-circuit emulator) or integrates with the EV-SOMCRR-EZKIT carrier board to form a comprehensive evaluation suite, enabling thorough verification of both processor cores and peripherals.

3. Core Application Scenarios

Audio amplifiers, digital cockpits, and ANC/RNC (Active Noise Cancellation/Road Noise Compensation) systems in the automotive sector; mixing consoles, microphone arrays, and speaker systems in professional audio; and high-precision signal acquisition and processing equipment in industrial applications. Particularly suited to scenarios demanding stringent floating-point performance and real-time capabilities.

III. Heterogeneous Multi-Core Processor Evaluation Board: An Efficient Computing Solution Through Division of Labour

The ADI Heterogeneous Multi-Core Processor Evaluation Board centres on integrating the ‘DSP+ARM’ architecture. Through the collaborative operation of the SHARC DSP core (specialising in high-performance signal processing) and the ARM Cortex core (handling general-purpose control and computation), it achieves efficient division of labour between signal processing and system control, adapting to complex multi-task scenarios in automotive electronics, consumer electronics, and similar fields. Centred around the latest heterogeneous multi-core processor, the evaluation board replicates the computational power allocation logic found in real-world applications, providing a precise verification platform for multi-core collaborative development.

1. Core Technology and Representative Product Features

ADI's heterogeneous multi-core processors adopt a ‘SHARC+/-FX DSP + ARM Cortex’ dual-core architecture. Latest offerings such as the ADSP-SC835KBPZ10 (launched 2024) and ADSP-SC598BBPZ10 (launched 2023) achieve clock frequencies up to 1.2GHz, supporting floating-point/ fixed-point double-precision operations, integrated encryption algorithms including AES-256 and SHA-2, secure boot functionality, and IP protection. These meet automotive-grade reliability requirements (wide temperature range -40°C to 125°C, compliant with AEC-Q100 standards).

The corresponding evaluation board is designed to fully accommodate the heterogeneous architecture, featuring dedicated core power supply modules and interconnect buses to ensure stable collaboration between DSP and ARM cores. At the interface level, it supports multiple protocols including CAN FD, I2S, SPI, and PDM, enabling connectivity with automotive buses, audio peripherals, sensors, and other devices to replicate hardware environments for in-vehicle infotainment systems, ADAS, and similar applications. Software support is provided through CrossCore Embedded Studio, enabling visualised development for multi-core task scheduling and data interaction. Pre-installed peripheral drivers and real-time operating system plugins simplify multi-core collaborative development.

2. Architectural Advantages and Application Value

Compared to single-core processors, the heterogeneous multi-core architecture achieves complementary strengths: the ARM Cortex-A55/M33 cores handle general tasks such as human-machine interaction, system scheduling, and network communication, while the SHARC DSP core focuses on high-performance tasks like audio processing, signal filtering, and data computation, significantly enhancing overall system efficiency and real-time performance. The evaluation board enables precise validation of this collaborative division of labour, assisting developers in optimising task allocation strategies and resolving core challenges such as multi-core data synchronisation and computational power balancing.

3. Core Application Scenarios

Digital cockpits, rear-seat entertainment systems, and ADAS driver assistance modules within automotive electronics; high-end audio equipment and intelligent conference systems in consumer electronics; high-precision control terminals and multi-sensor data fusion devices in industrial applications. Particularly suited to scenarios requiring simultaneous processing of complex signals and general-purpose control tasks.